Life’s Railway to Heaven – Country Southern Gospel

YouTube Video ^ | 5/15/08 | Revski

[Revski]

I was truly blessed with a smile when I listened to this song being sung, click and enjoy.

[OKSooner]

Listen later.

[girlangler]

My family here in Tennessee used to get together and pick and sing often.

That was always my favorite song, and I’d sing lead with my aunts and Mom harmonizing.

[bert]

The correct title is Life is Like a Mountain Railroad or simply Mountain Railroad.

This was a favorite drinking song in the H2 ( H square), my college residence house. Many a Saturday night and uncountable bottles of Bud purchased from the only beer dispensing machine in Raleigh were consumed singing this and other such.

Another of our favorites was I didn’t know God made Honkey Tonk Angels and a host of Flatt and Scruggs songs.

[Dante3]

There are many great gospel songs - “I’ve Seen the Light,” “Mansion in Glory,” “River of Jordan.”

[girlangler]

Songs like “Lord Build Me a Cabin in Gloryland,” and “Have A Little Talk With Jesus.”

[ArkansasBushfan]

You need to listen to Patsy Cline’s version of that song. It is ten times better.

[mozarky2]

The Amazing Rhythm Aces also recorded a SMOKIN’ cover of it...

[ViLaLuz]

That’s excellent! I love to hear the Happy Goodmans version, too.

[Revski]

I love Goodmans and I'm sure they are singing face to face with the Lord.

[Revski]

It seems like a lot of old timers got together and played music and had a great time. I remember some of the great times myself. Thanks for commenting.

[Revski]

It seems like a lot of old timers got together and played music and had a great time. I remember some of the great times myself. Thanks for commenting.

[Revski]

I was raised in New England and beer was the drink at most every event.

[Revski]

I’ll check it out. Thanks for your comment.

[Fishrrman]

I believe the real title to this song - unlike someone claimed - isn’t “Life Is Like A Mountain Railroad”, but actually _is_ “LIfe’s Railway To Heaven”, written by Eliza R. Snow in the 1890’s.
See:
http://library.timelesstruths.org/music/Lifes_Railway_to_Heaven/

My all-time favorite version of this song is the opener for “Will The Circle Be Unbroken, Vol. II”, with the late Johnny Cash singing the lead and none other than Earl Scruggs on banjo. I believe Jerry Douglass plays the dobro and the great Mark O’Connor adds some fiddle. If you enjoy acoustic-based music, that’s a wonderful recording.

Johnny Cash sings an additional verse:
As we roll along the mainline
There’ll be storms, and there’ll be night
There’ll be sidetracks unexpected
On the left and on the right
But with the straight always before us
And our hearts upon the prize
There’ll be no disembarkation
Until we reach paradise.

The melody was also co-opted by someone who wrote new lyrics for it and named it “Miner’s Life”:

Miner’s Life is like a sailor’s
Board a ship to cross the waves
Every day his life’s in danger
Still he ventures being brave
Watch the rocks they’re falling daily
Careless miners always fail
Keep your hand upon the dollar
And your eye upon the scale

Union miners stand together
Heed no operator’s tale
Keep your hand upon the dollar
And your eye upon the scale

You’ve been docked and docked again boys
You’ve been loading two for one
What have you to show for working
Since this mining has begun?
Just worn out boots
And worn out miners
And your children growing pale
Keep your hand upon the dollar
And your eye upon the scale

In conclusion bear in memory
Keep this password in your mind
God provides for every worker
When in union they combine
Then by honest wage we’ll labor
Union miners will prevail
So keep your hand upon the dollar
And your eye upon the scale

This can be heard on The Weavers’ “Wasn’t That A Time” collection...

- John

[Revski]

It must be so. Thanks for your comment and this is the first time I ever heard of Life's Railway to Heaven.