500 Miles
The Kingston Trio · Other Songs - The Kingston Trio
You can hear the whistle blow a hundred miles
A hundred miles, a hundred miles
A hundred miles, a hundred miles
you can hear the whistle blow a hundred miles
Lord, I'm one, Lord, I'm two, Lord, I'm three, Lord, I'm four
Lord, I'm five hundred miles a way from home
Away from home, away from home
Away from home, away from home
Lord, I'm five hundred miles away from home
Not a shirt on my back, not a penny to my name
Lord, I can't go back home this-a way
This-a way, this-a way, this-a way, this-a way
Lord, I can't go back home this-a way
If you miss the train I'm on, you will know that I am gone
You can hear the whistle blow a hundred miles
A hundred miles, a hundred miles
A hundred miles, a hundred miles
You can hear the whistle blow a hundred miles
You can hear the whistle blow a hundred miles
500 Miles
The Kingston Trio's rendition of '500 Miles' stands as a defining moment in the folk revival of the 1950s. Recorded during the group's early years, the track showcases their signature tight harmonies and acoustic instrumentation that helped popularize traditional folk songs for a modern audience. The song, a staple of American folk music, tells the story of a weary traveler returning home, capturing a universal sentiment of longing and displacement. This recording cemented the trio's reputation for revitalizing older material with polished, accessible arrangements. Their version remains one of the most recognizable interpretations of the song, influencing countless artists across the genre and ensuring its enduring presence in popular culture without relying on complex production.