Wabash Cannonball
Flatt And Scruggs · Other Songs - Flatt And Scruggs
From the green old flowing mountains to the south down along the shore
She's mighty tall and handsome, she's known quite well by all
The regular combination on that Wabash Cannonball
Listen to the jingle, the rumble and the roar
As she glides along the woodland o'er the hills and by the shore
Hear the mighty rush of the engine, hear the lonesome hobo's call
As you ramble across the country on that Wabash Cannonball
Well, the eastern states are dandy, most people always say
From New York to St. Louis and old Chicago by the way
To the hills of Minnesota where them rippling waters fall
No changes need be taken on that Wabash Cannonball
Listen to the jingle, the rumble and the roar
As she glides along the woodland o'er the hills and by the shore
Hear the mighty rush of the engine, hear the lonesome hobo's call
As you ramble across the country on that Wabash Cannonball
Here's to Daddy Claxton, may his name forever stand
In the hills of Tennessee many places throughout the land
When his earthly race are over and them curtains 'round him fall
[Incomprehensible] him back to Dixie on that Wabash Cannonball
We came down to Nashville on a warm November day
As we rolled into that station I heard somebody say
There's a boy from Carolina, they're wide and fat and tall
They came down to pick us a few, they rode the Wabash Cannonball
Listen to that jingle, the rumble and the roar
As she glides along the woodland o'er hills and by the shore
Hear the mighty rush of the engine, hear the lonesome hobo's call
As you ramble across the country on that Wabash Cannonball
Wabash Cannonball
Recorded by Flatt and Scruggs, "Wabash Cannonball" stands as a definitive example of bluegrass music's evolution into the folk-rock era. Released in 1962, the track features the duo's signature blend of acoustic guitar and mandolin, driven by a driving rhythm section that propelled them to international fame. The song tells the story of a legendary train journey across the United States, capturing the spirit of American travel and the rugged frontier. Its infectious energy and catchy melody made it a staple of their live performances and a staple of the folk revival movement. The recording showcases the tight interplay between Flatt's guitar work and Scruggs's banjo technique, establishing a template for future generations of bluegrass and country artists.