Arlo Guthrie – “City of New Orleans” (1977)

Youtube ^ | 11/15/2016 | Staff

[simpson96]

Hope you enjoy.City Of New Orleans

[simpson96]

music *ping*

[bus man]

I would bet that at least 99% of people hearing the lyric “Changing cars in Memphis, Tennessee” would have no idea what it was referring to. Hint: on a train heading from the North to the South, think Jim Crow.

[mbarker12474]

Are arbitrary cat videos also fair game nowadays on FR?

[lodi90]

Not a big folk music guy but this is one of my favorites. I like the original version better for some reason.

[Buckeye McFrog]

Same reason that Cairo, Illinois holds a special place in Black American folklore.

It was the place on the journey north where the curtain came down, and you could sit on the bus anyplace you wanted.

[virgil283]

Nice song and that’s a hilarious album cover !!!

[SJSAMPLE]

Arlo Guthrie performing Buffalo Springfield on “The Muppet Show” is a highlight of my youth.

[John W]

Written by Steve Goodman Chicago Cubs fan and writer of “Go Cubs Go”.

[GOPJ]

Good catch... thanks for sharing. Young folks don’t know about segregated train cars... or much of anything about the horrors of Jim Crow...

[Enterprise]

Great song.

[freedomlover]

And the sons of Pullman Porters, and the sons of Engineers

Ride their father’s magic carpets made of steel

---

I sometimes perform this song and I love those lines. Very well written.

[Moonman62]

I would bet that at least 99% of people hearing the lyric “Changing cars in Memphis, Tennessee” would have no idea what it was referring to. Hint: on a train heading from the North to the South, think Jim Crow.

...

I had no idea. I thought it meant the train was changing cars.

BTW, my mom worked on the City of New Orleans.

[Enterprise]

I liked those lines a lot. Taking your son to work. :)

[rlmorel]

Always liked that song...brought back memories.

[married21]

I just love this song. Thanks for reminding me of it.

[Leaning Right]

A number of years ago I was watching a video clip of a reporter interviewing Arlo Guthrie. Arlo mentioned that he was a Republican. The reporter was surprised by that, to say the least.

I believe that Arlo now calls himself a libertarian.

[PLMerite]

I think 1972 vice 1977.

[Buckeye McFrog]

I believe that Arlo now calls himself a libertarian.

Still quite an accomplishment considering his daddy was one of the most dyed-in-the-wool Communists this country ever produced.

[Arthur McGowan]

Correct.