Train songs...

A co-write with Michael LeBlanc.




OLD SOUTHBOUND LINE

lou'siana moon winkin' through the leaves
swear i heard the ghost of a hobo breathin'
every now and then i hear the lonesome sound
of a distant whistle of that old southbound
trestle like a skeleton ready to fall
can barely stand a yankee wind as it calls
broken boxcars battling kudzu vine
home to coyotes, critters and empty bottles of wine
   
   night time on that old southbound line
   takes me back to a different place and time
   some good, some bad, some have slipped my mind
   but i became the man i am on that old southbound line

potters field, many a nameless cross
covered in briars and spanish moss
the stories i could tell with old friends of mine
from the first train we hopped to the end of the line
another wishful night under the stars
away from home, god knows how far
beside these rusty rails prayin' it don't rain
singin' jimmie rodgers waitin' for a train
   
   night time on that old southbound line
   takes me back to a different place and time
   some good, some bad, some have slipped my mind
   but i became the man i am on that old southbound line
   
   night time on that old southbound line
   takes me back to a different place and time
   some good, some bad, some have slipped my mind
   but i became the man i am on that old southbound line
   i became the man i am on that old southbound line


The BAND:
RealTracks in song: 1415:Bass, Electric, PopSw16RootFive Sw16 075
RealTracks in style: 607:Guitar, Nylon, Chet Train Ev 130
RealTracks in style: 600:Fiddle, Background Train Ev 130
RealTracks in song: 626:Harmonica, Background Travis Ev 085
RealTracks in style: 411:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm Train Pickin' Ev 130
RealTracks in song: 378:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming DoubleTime Ev 088
RealTracks in song: 623:Banjo, Background Backporch Ev 098
RealDrums in Song: CountryEven8Reduced: a: Brushes, HiHat b: Snare, Ride


Hop aboard, pass the Ripple, sing along.
Theorize. Philosophize. Proselytize if you must.
Have at it.

fj

Hey there Floyd. Man, I'm sure glad you posted this one. Fantastic write. It really took me back. I remember so many times listening to my dad singing Jimmy Rodgers "Waitin' for a Train" to me, just like his dad had done for him. Nice melody and chord progression, and I sure liked the use of the harmonica and banjo - it added a lot. Thanks.

Really good!
Couldn't sit still.

Makes you feel happy.

Anne-Marie

FJ,
excellent song, terrific band and the melody/phrasing is top shelf.
There's an occasional oldies whistle at the end of a line that might be worth addressing.

Nice song that zipped right down the line. A fun-luvin' tune I think.

Charlie

You did a really great job on this one! The particular arrangement of instruments you chose were the perfect compliment. Thanks for sharing!

Love the nice, old, warm sound on this Floyd. A great listen, but for me also a very PLEASANT listen. Kinda retro.

Full of lyrical romance and musical magic.

Great job.

Floyd...nothing like a good old train beat to move a song along...really nice song...love the harmonica...great imagery in the lyrics and great performance especially when you're adding the harmony parts...top-notch in every way!

Hi Floyd
Gotta love a train song, and this is a really good one. Great lyrics and vocals. Love the harmonica and banjo combo. When it finished I immediately hit play again for a second listen. Top notch.
Regards,
Leon

Much tamer than the Grateful Dead train ride across Canada. What a wonderful ride, Floyd. The perfect band. Love the harmonica. You are the best engineer for a train song like this. Dang, I know I've said this a thousand times, but you are in a special class of lyric writing. Heck, you are the tenured teacher.

OMG, I hear some sibilance on the Ss, but it aptly reminds me "of a distant whistle of that old southbound."

Floyd,

A new favorite for me. Love the wistfulness of this tune. Your vocal is perfect. The touch of harmonica and banjo is just great.

Outstanding!

Bob

Thanks for having a listen, Brad...




Thanks, Anne-Marie...

Floyd,

What a great county tune, spurred by a superb write. Those drums are outstanding really giving atmosphere and ambience to the tune. Excellent, just excellent production. Impressive collaboration, boys. Brilliant!

My best to you both,

Deej

Hi Floyd and Michael
I'm not a country expert but the song sounds excellent
Your singing is absolutely top class
That's how we imagine country music here in Germany ;-))))
Great work Floyd and Michael
Many greetings
Andi ;-)

Country at it absolute best

As usual everything is just perfect

Loved it

You are the undisputed master at what you do. That doesn't mean you aren't versatile, far from it; but this is your home ground. A good ol' country song, old school style - and you are truly unbeaten, here. I am not an expert on country music, at all; but your voice is easily one of the very best I've heard in the genre. Better than Randy Travis (my lack of expertise shows, haha), etc., and how. You tell a story when you sing, and you know just how to deliver it, with your trademark inflections, etc. :-) Thanks for sharing this - really brightened up an otherwise rather dreary evening, over here in London.

Hi, Floyd !

I share Mario´s opinion
regarding this being
country at it´s best !
your voice is just made
for this !

Cheers
Dani

Loved the this tune Floyd. Loved the drums. Really set the vibe of the song. Super vocal and very cool lyric. Old time country. Doesn't get any better. Well done

Thanks, ray.
Thanks for pointing out the siblance. This has been sitting around a while (7 years) - I should have remixed it and eliminated that (I was being lazy though). I have some others that have been around for some time and will look at that (remixing) next time....



Thanks for having a listen, Charlie...

FJ and Michael,

First class ride - enjoyed from start to finish. Banjo nice touch.
Great collab.

Josie

I agree with Marty, you are in a class of your own when it comes to lyrics, such a great write!

Another great song, floyd, you are a star in my book.

Nice mix Floyd.

floyd

Superb work, great band doing the train backing and the mix is excellent.

Excellent vocal, lyric and melody.

Lovely work and thoroughly enjoyable.

Peter

Floyd

You really took us on a journey with those wonderful lyrics! This song is such a pleasure to listen to! It's definitely a different type of song from your usual offerings, but still delivered in excellent fashion! I love it when you put up a surprise like this! This is the kind of stuff that keeps making new FJ fans!

Thanks, Torrey

Ember - thanks for stopping by for a listen!




Warm is a good way to go, I think....





Appreciate that, Dan...

Floyd,
Its more than the train beat that makes this such a good feeling song; the lyric details are really fine and your warm vocal makes me believe you rode those rails.
Great band too!

Robert

FJ & Michael,
Very neat train tune. Lyrics read like a poem. Excellent vocals. Production is spotless and listens very well. Good drive. Enjoyed it and thank you for sharing.

Misha.

Chuggin' along, ain't cha?

Another fine set of lyrics.

This has a nice Mike Nesmith feel.

Another good one in the mailbag!

Thanks, Leon. Always nice to have you drop by for a listen...




Thanks, Marty. In this case, Mike deserves a lot of credit. The bones of the lyric are his doing - he is a superb lyricist. I do some touch-up, polishing, additions, etc. (and the music and production), but much of his original remains...

We love trains. We love Jimmie Rogers. We love this song!

The lyric is full of vivid imagery and the band you’ve assembled gives the feeling of the train chugging along the tracks, especially the drums. The fiddle and harmonica work really well together too.

Your voice has such a rich timbre and, as Janice always notes, your phrasing accentuates just the right words and phrases.

We also love the cover photo. Bud “hopped a train” in his youth and ended up getting off seven miles
from town

There's been a lot of country music water under the bridge since this style sold millions but one listen to this and those sales are easy to understand.

Kudos! Thanks for the upbeat lyric, vocal and entire production. We need that.

J&B

Thanks, Bob!




Appreciated, Deej....




Thanks, Andi....

A Happy so g with great harmonies

Jona

Thanks, Mario....




Those are some very nice comments, James. Thanks!!




Thanks, Dani....

Thanks, a bunch, Scott...




Thanks, Josie...

Thanks, Dave. (as I told Marty, Mike deserves most of the credit for the lyric....)




Thanks, Jim.




Appreciate that, Peter....




Thanks, Torrey!!

I know I listened to this several days ago and thought I had commented..... ooops.


Nothing like a good old " Cross-tie walker" Hobo song.

Nicely written and sung. Everything else is in place like it needs to be.

Good imagery in the lyrics that take you right into the camps and sights along the tracks that most people never know exist let alone see.

Thanks, Robert...




Thanks, Misha....





Thanks, Scott....

Thanks, guys! Much appreciated....





Thanks, Jona...





Thanks for stopping in for a listen, Herb...

Very nicely done, reminds me of watching westerns with my Dad. Thank for the reminder

I like a lot of your stuff that I've heard on the BiaB Radio but this has to be my favorite so far! It wouldn't surprise me to hear that come across my SiriusXM Channel 60 (Outlaw Country) station.

Hi floyd jane,

Very country atmosphere. Nice use of violin, banjo and harmonica RTs. This composition is pleasant and catchy. I appreciated.

Kindly regard
Derochette
alias JaniJackFlash

No visit to the forum is complete without hearing a tune from The Godfather!!!! And, this one's a beauty!!!! What a wonderful song.....write, arrangement, vocal....damn.....The whole Shootin' Match!!! The lyrical images are priceless, and carried beautifully by the arrangement (love the banjo!). This is GREAT SONGWRITING!!! Another classic from a true master!!! Take care. Greg

I love it, Floyd. Great song and the arrangement/mix is crystal clear. I going to study this one!

Sounds like you're singing on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry
Great song great use of real tracks your voice is perfect for this genre of music
Sounds like traditional country.
Nice!!

Hi Floyd ...

I'm late to this party, glad I finally got her.

This song reminded me of something Tom T. Hall might have written. Maybe even Merle Haggard back in the 70s.

I know Michael from the that other site I frequented some time ago. (Haven't been there in quite a while). He's a good writer. And the two of you together pulled an ace from the deck with this one. You do this style better than anyone I know - or anyone I've heard.

Tip of the hat to both of you ...

Alan

Fun, traditional, well written, produced and performed. Enjoyed my listen.

Charlie

As someone who comes from a completely different culture (you know, where we all think you guys still herd cows and all lines run west), this immediately gives me the feeling of a "western movie," similar to (you probably won't like this) Lee Major's "Unknown Stuntman".

Lyrics, vocals, arrangement and mix are of the usual high standard, but most of all your song gets my feet moving, even though I am known to not be the biggest fan of this genre.
Very well done!

By the way, I had to google 'kudzu', I didn't even know that word in my own language, much less that you can make wine from it.