Riding on the city of new orleans
Illinios central, monday morning rail
15 cars and 15 restless riders
3 conductors and 25 sacks of mail
They're all along a southbound odyssey
The train pulls out of kankakee
Rollin' long past houses, farms and fields
Passing trains that have no name
Freight yards full of old black men
The graveyards of the rusted automobiles
Singing good morning America, how are you?
Saying, don't you know me I'm your native son?
I'm the train they call the city of new orleans
I'll be gone 500 miles when the day is done
How is dealing cards with the old men in the club car
Penny a point, ain't no one keeping score
Pass the paper bag that holds the bottle
Feel the wheels a rumbling 'neath the floor
And the sons of pullman porters
And the sons of engineers
Ride their fathers' magic carpet made of steel
And the days are full of restless
the dreams are full of memories
And the echoes of the freight train whistles clear
Singing good morning America, how are you?
Saying don't you know me, I'm your native son?
I'm the train they call the city of new orleans
I'll be gone 500 miles when the day is done
But it's twilight on the city of New Orleans
Talk about a pocket full of friends
Halfway home and we'll be there by morning
With no tomorrow waiting 'round the bend
Singing good morning America, I love you?
Saying don't you know me, I'm your native son?
I'm the train they call the city of new orleans
I'll be gone long long time when the day is done
Singing good morning America, how are you?
Saying don't you know me, I'm your native son?
I'm the train they call the city of new orleans
I'll be gone 500 miles when the day is done