I’m not sure how well known it is, but like me and Sheldon Cooper Johnny Cash was a big fan of trains and loved singing about them every chance he got.
Consider that opening line to what was arguably his most famous hit, Folsom Prison Blues, “I hear that train a coming, its rollin round the bend and I ain’t seen the sunshine since I don’t know when”.
In my mind, I have always associated trains with freedom and possibilities, and it feels pretty good to share that with the Man in Black. When I was in Europe, I felt like nearly every village, town, and city was reachable by rail and ready to be explored. In Calgary, there is no Via Rail route but that hopefully won’t last forever – I’m hoping they’ll at least re-introduce a Calgary to Edmonton route since I can still recollect that feeling of everything being a train ride away. Plus, who doesn’t love a good train song.
- Orange Blossom Special
- Hey, Porter
- Blue Train
- I Heard That Lonesome Whistle Blow
- I’ve Got a Thing About Trains
- Rock Island Line
- Hey, Hey, Train
- Waiting For a Train
- Wabash Cannonball
- Casey Jones
- City of New Orleans
- The Wreck of the Old 97
The next time that I go away I’ll have to put together a really good playlist to relax to as the train rumbles down the track and the world flies by.
Wright After Reading 