1956 ROCK ISLAND LINE. The song's chorus includes: The Rock Island Line is a mighty good road Arkansas prisoners – Also recorded by John Lomax in 1939. First live performance by Rock Island Colored Booster Quartet First recording by Kelly Pace and Group (October 2, 1934) First release by Lead Belly (May 1942) The beginning of the most popular version of the song tells the story of a train operator who smuggles pig iron through a toll gate by claiming all he had on board was livestock, but this episode was a later addition not present in the traditional, 1929 version. Join Napster and play your favorite music offline. Rock Island Line. 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. 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. Ostensibly about the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad, it appeared as a folk song as early as 1929. 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! "Rock Island Line" is an American folk song. Javascript is required to view shouts on this page. View credits, reviews, tracks and shop for the 1953 Vinyl release of Rock Island Line on Discogs. Musical duo - Entertainment for hire Parties Clubs Weddings Any Occasion The Rock Island Line is a mighty good road Rock Island Line Various Artists Play on Napster. Some user-contributed text on this page is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply. Let us know what you think of the Last.fm website. The October 1934 recording, by Kelly Pace and a group of convicts, was released on the compilation album. The Man, His World, His Music, Kindred Spirits: A Tribute to the Songs of Johnny Cash, Dressed in Black: A Tribute to Johnny Cash, Walk the Line: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, We Walk the Line: A Celebration of the Music of Johnny Cash, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rock_Island_Line&oldid=992142349, Wikipedia articles with MusicBrainz work identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Prison inmates in Arkansas – Recorded by John Lomax in Arkansas twice in 1934. 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. Search an artist or a title. ", "Greatest Hits - The Weavers: Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards", "1956-1960 - Johnny Horton : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards", "Rock Island Line - Johnny Cash : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards", "Looking for a Home - Odetta : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards", "Family Dance - Dan Zanes : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards", "Bandwagon - Eleven Hundred Springs : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards", Oldielyrics.com, Lonnie Donegan's version of "Rock Island Line", A Mighty Good Road: Minnesota Public Radio, Traditional Music and Spoken Word Catalog, The Midnight Special and Other Southern Prison Songs. From the album "Rock Island Line" by Lonnie Donegan on Napster He is one of the best-selling music artists of all time… read more View full artist profile Similar Artists. Go directly to shout page. The Negro singer, Lead Belly, heard it, rearranged it in his own style, and made commercial phonograph recordings of it in the 1940s. Connect your Spotify account to your Last.fm account and scrobble everything you listen to, from any Spotify app on any device or platform. Anthony James "Lonnie" Donegan MBE (29 April 1931 – 3 November 2002) was a Scottish-born skiffle musician, with more than 20 UK Top 30 hits to his name. Rock Island Line Various Artists Play on Napster. Listen to Rock Island Line by Lonnie Donegan on Deezer. Lonnie DoneganMiscellaneousRock Island LineROCK ISLAND LINELonnie Donegan Skiffle Group(THE CHORUS IS THE ONLY PART SUNG. Ostensibly about the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad, it appeared as a folk song as early as 1929. With music streaming on Deezer you can discover more than 56 million tracks, create your own playlists, … Lead Belly accompanied Lomax to the prison. 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. Lyrics. This recording featured Donegan, Chris Barber on double bass and Beryl Bryden on washboard. LONNIE DONEGAN. Rock Island Line Various Artists Play on Napster. [2], The earliest known version of "Rock Island Line" was written in 1929 by Clarence Wilson, a member of the Rock Island Colored Booster Quartet, a singing group made up of employees of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad at the Biddle Shops freight yard in Little Rock, Arkansas. Johnny Cash (born J.R. Cash; February 26, 1932 – September 12, 2003) was an American singer-songwriter, guitarist, actor, and author. The first recorded performance of "Rock Island Line" was by inmates of the Arkansas Cummins State Farm prison in 1934. [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? This version retains some lyrical features of the 1929 version, but also features key elements of the "classic" version. Rock Island Line Various Artists Play on Napster. A new version of Last.fm is available, to keep everything running smoothly, please reload the site. Merle Haggard Elvis Presley Hank Williams Willie Nelson 0 100 50 / 0 0 0. Check out similar artists on Napster. Listen to Rock Island Line by Various Artists. Inspired by blues music and New Orleans jazz bands he heard on th…, 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. Jesus died to save our sins--hooray to God, We're going to meet him again! Rock Island Line Various Artists Play on Napster. 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 Rock Island Line: American Railroad Songs, an album by Various Artists on Spotify. [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. "Rock Island Line" is an American folk song. This performance is included with his 1939 Southern States Recording Trip. From the album "The Best of British Rock 'n' Roll / 1956 - 1959, Vol. Get your ticket at the station for the Rock Island Line, Many artists subsequently recorded it, often changing the verses and adjusting the lyrics. Search. Join Napster and play your favorite music offline. Rock Island Line Various Artists Play on Napster. The original Rock Island Railroad was called Rock Island & La Salle Rail Road Company and was officially incorporated on February 27, 1847. As the railroad grew, the name was changed to the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad (CRI&P RW, sometimes called Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway. 2" by Lonnie Donegan on Napster The Penguin Book Of American Folk Songs, compiled and with notes by Alan Lomax, published in 1964, includes "Rock Island Line" with the following footnote: John A. Lomax recorded this song at the Cummins State Prison farm, Gould, Arkansas, in 1934 from its convict composer, Kelly Pace. [4], Lead Belly and John and Alan Lomax supposedly first heard it from [a] prison work gang during their travels in 1934/35. Johnny Cash (single 1970) – from the album, This page was last edited on 3 December 2020, at 18:51. Karaoke. Rock Island Line (live, 1964-07-24: Newport Folk Festival, Freebody Park, Newport, RI, USA) cover and live: Johnny Cash: 3:56: 1975-09-21: Rock Island Line (live, 1975-09-21: London Palladium, London, England, UK) cover and live: ... Cover Art provided by the Cover Art Archive. Let us know what you think of the Last.fm website. His ethnic mix was Scottish/Irish. Donegan was born as Anthony James Donegan in Glasgow, Scotland, the son of a professional violinist. Listen to Rock Island Line by Various Artists. He is referred to as the "King of Skiffle" and is often cited as a large influenc…. Huddie [Lead Belly] sang and performed this song, finally settling on a format where he portrayed, in song, a train engineer asking the depot agent to let his train start out on the main line. It was sung a cappella. 71 likes. Sign up for Deezer for free and listen to Rock Island Line: discography, top tracks and playlists. [5], Lonnie Donegan's recording, released as a single in late 1955, signaled the start of the UK skiffle craze. Barkin' Up the Wrong Tree Rock Island Line Go 'Way Hound Dog Rock Island Line Pete Seeger recorded a version a cappella while he was chopping wood, to demonstrate its origins. 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. From the album "The Best of Skiffle, Vol. 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. The record sold in the hundreds of thousands in the U.S. and England, and this Arkansas Negro convict song, as adapted by Lead Belly, was published as a personal copyright, words and music, by someone whose contact with the Rock Island Line was entirely through the grooves of a phonograph record. Lonnie Chat 2 (The Caesar's Palace, Dunstable 1967), Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. About Lonnie Donegan Donegan was the father of the British skiffle movement of the '50s and early '60s. Leadbelly [Chorus] Oh that Rock Island Line is a mighty good road, Oh that Rock Island Line is that road to ride, Oh that Rock Island Line is a mighty good road, If you want to ride, you got to ride it like you find it, Get your ticket at the station on the Rock Island Line. A similar version was recorded by Lomax in October 1934 at Cummins State Farm prison in Lincoln County, Arkansas, performed by a group of singers led by Kelly Pace.[3]. Play as much music as you want on your computer, mobile or home audio system. Date Title, Artist Peak Pos WoC Wks No 1 Chart Facts; 12.01. Official singles Chart results matching: rock island line. 0:00. Track. ). Rock Island Line, Donnybrook, Western Australia. Scrobbling is when Last.fm tracks the music you listen to and automatically adds it to your music profile. Lonnie Donegan - Rock Island Line (Live) 15/6/1961 - YouTube Released: Sep 2020 Label: Golden Bridge Records Facebook Twitter Lonnie Donegan MBE (29 April 1931 – 3 November 2002) was a British "skiffle" musician, … 0:00. 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. Rock Island Line ROCK ISLAND LINE Lonnie Donegan Skiffle Group (THE CHORUS IS THE ONLY PART SUNG. Explore releases from Rock Island Line at Discogs. Released: May 2008 Label: Diamond Days Facebook Twitter 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. Johnny Cash with His Hot and Blue Guitar! 1" by Lonnie Donegan on Napster Shop for Vinyl, CDs and more from Rock Island Line at the Discogs Marketplace. Released: Oct 2013 Label: Top Tracks Facebook Twitter THE RESTIS…. DECCA F10647. The Rock Island Line is the road to ride If you want to ride you gotta ride it like you find it We and our partners use cookies to personalize your experience, to show you ads based on your interests, and for measurement and analytics purposes. 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. 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. 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