Rock Island Line: American Railroad Songs, an album by Various Artists on Spotify. He is known as the "King of Skiffle" and is often cited as a large influence on the generation of British musicians who became famous in the 1960s. The song’s author Clarence Wilson was an engine wiper (cleaner) who worked at the Biddle Street Shops, the railroad’s central freight yard near Little Rock, Arkansas. 1" by Lonnie Donegan on Napster Donegan was born as Anthony James Donegan in Glasgow, Scotland, the son of a professional violinist. A new version of Last.fm is available, to keep everything running smoothly, please reload the site. He is referred to as the "King of Skiffle" and is often cited as a large influence on the generation of British musicians who became famous in the 1960s. Go directly to shout page. He combined jugband music, New Orleans jazz, country, folk, and blues in a driving, highly rhythmic style that relied strictly on acoustic instruments including banjo, washboard, and washtub bass. Javascript is required to view shouts on this page. Engine in front, Caboose in the back Go so fast most leaves the tracks Well now the Rock Island Line it is a mighty good road The Rock Island Line it is the road to ride The Rock Island Line it is a mighty good road And if you want to ride it gotta stride it like you're flying Get your ticket at the station on the Rock Island Line. Ostensibly about the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad, it appeared as a folk song as early as 1929. One of these recordings was studied and imitated phrase by phrase, by a young English singer of American folk songs [referring to Lonnie Donegan], who subsequently recorded it for an English company. Lonnie DoneganMiscellaneousRock Island LineROCK ISLAND LINELonnie Donegan Skiffle Group(THE CHORUS IS THE ONLY PART SUNG. Johnny Cash (single 1970) – from the album, This page was last edited on 3 December 2020, at 18:51. Musical duo - Entertainment for hire Parties Clubs Weddings Any Occasion Listen to Rock Island Line by Lonnie Donegan on Deezer. Ostensibly about the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad, it appeared as a folk song as early as 1929. 71 likes. This recording featured Donegan, Chris Barber on double bass and Beryl Bryden on washboard. The lyrics to this version are largely different to the version that later evolved and became famous, with verses describing people and activities associated with the yard. He moved with his mother to London at an early age, after his parents divorced. Check out similar artists on Napster. Join Napster and play your favorite music offline. If you want to ride you gotta ride it like you find it Jesus died to save our sins--hooray to God, We're going to meet him again! The original Rock Island Railroad was called Rock Island & La Salle Rail Road Company and was officially incorporated on February 27, 1847. Rock Island Line Various Artists Play on Napster. [5], Some times identified as "Kelly Pace and Prisoners", Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad, "Treasury of Library of Congress Field Recordings - Various Artists : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards", "Rock Island Line [Naxos] - Leadbelly : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards", "The John and Ruby Lomax 1939 Southern States Recording Trip", "From "Mule-een" to New Orleans: Just What Was Lead Belly Saying? The first recorded performance of "Rock Island Line" was by inmates of the Arkansas Cummins State Farm prison in 1934. Connect your Spotify account to your Last.fm account and scrobble everything you listen to, from any Spotify app on any device or platform. Play as much music as you want on your computer, mobile or home audio system. Leave feedback, "Rock Island Line" is an American blues/folk song performed and first recorded by, Lonnie Donegan MBE (29 April 1931 – 3 November 2002) was a British "skiffle" musician, with more than 20 UK Top 30 hits to his name. The Negro singer, Lead Belly, heard it, rearranged it in his own style, and made commercial phonograph recordings of it in the 1940s. Sign up for Deezer for free and listen to Rock Island Line: discography, top tracks and playlists. The song's chorus includes: The Rock Island Line is a mighty good road He was a member of a vocal group, the Rock Island Colored Booster Quartet, that was based at his workplace and this group first performed his song in December 1929. Search. From the album "Rock Island Line" by Lonnie Donegan on Napster [5], Lonnie Donegan's recording, released as a single in late 1955, signaled the start of the UK skiffle craze. Lead Belly accompanied Lomax to the prison. The Rock Island Line is the road to ride Pete Seeger recorded a version a cappella while he was chopping wood, to demonstrate its origins. Similar Artists. From the album "The Best of Skiffle, Vol. 0:00. Released: Oct 2013 Label: Top Tracks Facebook Twitter Merle Haggard Elvis Presley Hank Williams Willie Nelson 0 100 50 / 0 0 0. Rock Island Line Various Artists Play on Napster. Bitter Tears: Ballads of the American Indian, Johnny Cash Sings the Ballads of the True West, Carryin' On with Johnny Cash & June Carter, America: A 200-Year Salute in Story and Song, Johnny Cash Sings the Songs That Made Him Famous, All Aboard the Blue Train with Johnny Cash, 16 Biggest Hits: Johnny Cash & June Carter Cash, Man in Black: His Own Story in His Own Words, Johnny Cash! Track. Johnny Cash. He is referred to as the "King of Skiffl…, Lonnie Donegan MBE (29 April 1931 – 3 November 2002) was a British "skiffle" musician, with more than 20 UK Top 30 hits to his name. Rock Island Line Various Artists Play on Napster. [3], The first audio recording of the song was made by folklorist and musicologist John A. Lomax at the Tucker, Arkansas prison farm on September 29, 1934. The first recorded performance of "Rock Island Line" was by inmates of the Arkansas Cummins State Farm prison in 1934.[1]. Well the Rock Island Line it is a mighty good road Oh that Rock Island Line it is a road to ride The Rock Island Line it is a mighty good road But if you want to ride, you got to ride it like you find it Get your ticket at the station for the Rock Island Line The 7:45 was always late But arrived today at a quarter to eight [4], Lead Belly and John and Alan Lomax supposedly first heard it from [a] prison work gang during their travels in 1934/35. 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