Song written by Elisabeth “Libba” Cotton in 1905. The track was recorded in 1957 by the Charles McDevitt Skiffle Group featuring Nancy Whiskey and became a top five hit in the summer of that year. Freight Train was driven by Whiskey’s ebullient soprano and McDevitt’s whistled obligato. It was the group’s first single, and its upbeat arrangement belied the gloomy lyrics of its 1905 composition. The track was also recorded by Peter, Paul and Mary in 1963.
Kim Wilde performed a short acoustic version of the chorus of this song on the cassette fanzine SFX Issue 2, released on 5 December 1981 – with slightly different lyrics.
Roxanne sang the song live with Marty during his anniversary tour across the UK in 2007.
Lyrics
Kim’s lyrics:
Freight train freight train goin’ so fast
Freight train freight train goin’ so fast
I don’t know what train she’s on
But will you please tell me where he’s gone.
Original lyrics:
Freight train freight train goin’ so fast
Freight train freight train goin’ so fast
Please don’t tell what train I’m on
So they won’t know where I’ve gone.
Freight train, freight train, comin’ round the bend
Freight train, freight train, gone again
One of these days turn that train around
Go back to my hometown.
Freight train freight train goin’ so fast
Freight train freight train goin’ so fast
Please don’t tell what train I’m on
So they won’t know where I’ve gone.
One more place I’d like to be
One more place I’d love to see
To watch those old blue ridge mountains climb
As I ride ol’ number nine.
Freight train freight train goin’ so fast
Freight train freight train goin’ so fast
Please don’t tell what train I’m on
So they won’t know where I’ve gone.
When I die please bury me deep
Down at the end of bleecker street
So I can hear ol’ number nine
As she goes rollin’ by.
Freight train freight train goin’ so fast
Freight train freight train goin’ so fast
Please don’t tell what train I’m on
So they won’t know where I’ve gone