Wabash Cannonball
Roy Acuff
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From the great Atlantic ocean to the wide Pacific shore From the queen of flowing mountain to the south bell by the shore She's mighty tall and handsome and know quite well by all She’s the combination on the Wabash Cannonball She came down from Birmingham one cold December day As she rolled in the station you could hear all the people say There's a girl from Tennessee she's long and she's tall She came down from Birmingham on the Wabash Cannonball Our estern states are dandies so the people always say From New York to St. Louis and Chicago by the way From the hills of Minnesota where the rippling waters fall No changes can be taken on the Wabash Cannonball Here’s to daddy Claxton may his name forever stand And always be remembered 'round the courts of Alabama His earthly race is over and the curtains 'round him fall We'll carry home to victory on the Wabash Cannonball Listen to the jingle the rumble and the roar As she glides along the woodland through the hills and by the shore Hear the mighty rush of the engine hear the lonesome hobos call You’re traveling through the jungle on the Wabash Cannonball
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10 facts about this song
Historical Significance"Wabash Cannonball" has strong roots in American folk music and history. As a traditional American song, it has been performed by numerous artists, largely involving themes of the American heartland, travel, and progress.
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Multiple ArtistsNotably, two versions of the song by "Roy Acuff" and "The Carter Family" are particularly famous. Acuff released his version in 1947, while The Carter Family had chosen to include it in their repertoire much earlier.
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Train ThemeThe song is named after a fictitious train, the "Wabash Cannonball". Wabash refers to the Wabash Railroad, which traveled across the Midwest and Eastern United States.
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PopularityRoy Acuff's rendition became one of his signature songs, and it's recognized as a staple of his performances. It helped cement him as one of the leading figures in the history of country music.
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Cultural ImpactThe song is not only popular in country music but also Repurposed in other Genres and across other forms of media. It's been heard in several movies and is referred to in many books and TV shows.
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Tennessee's State SongIn 2003, Roy Acuff's "Wabash Cannonball" was one of several songs being considered to become Tennessee's state song. Although it wasn't selected, the nomination attested to its significant cultural influence, especially in Tennessee.
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Sports TraditionThe University of Tennessee's Pride of the Southland Band has been playing a version of "Wabash Cannonball" as part of its pre-game show for over 40 years. This has made the song an essential part of their sports tradition.
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The Carter Family LegacyThe Carter Family, known as the "First Family" of country music, recorded the song during their early years in the 1920s. Their version of the “Wabash Cannonball” added to their repertoire of traditional American folk songs, contributing to their lasting impact on country music.
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Songwriting ControversyThe authorship of "Wabash Cannonball" is a subject of debate. Many believe that it evolved from an older song called "The Great Rock Island Route."
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Music Hall of FameIn 1998, Roy Acuff's version of "Wabash Cannonball" was included in the Grammy Hall of Fame, honoring its historical, artistic and significant value.
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"Wabash Cannonball Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 19 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/27453614/Roy+Acuff/Wabash+Cannonball>.
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