500 Miles
Rosanne Cash · The List [2009]
You can hear the whistle blow a hundred miles
A hundred miles, a hundred miles, a hundred miles, one hundred miles
You can hear the whistle blow, a hundred miles
Teardrops fell on momma's note
When I read the things she wrote
She said "we miss you hon', we love you
Come on home"
Well I didn't have to pack
I had it all right on my back
Now I'm five hundred miles away from home
Lord I'm one, Lord I'm two, Lord I'm three, Lord I'm four
Lord I'm five hundred miles away from home
All these years and all these roads
Never led me back to you
I'm always five hundred miles away from home
Away from home, away home
Always out here on my own
I'm still five hundred miles away from home
I'm still five hundred miles away from home
500 Miles
Rosanne Cash's rendition of '500 Miles' appears on her 2009 album, The List, a collection where she reinterprets classic songs through her distinctive lens. As a prominent figure in American roots music, Cash brings a refined, contemporary sensibility to this traditional folk standard. Her vocal delivery balances the song's inherent melancholy with a polished, modern production style that distinguishes it from earlier versions. This recording highlights her ability to honor established material while infusing it with the emotional depth characteristic of her broader discography. The track serves as a testament to her enduring influence within the genre, showcasing how a master songwriter can reimagine timeless melodies for new audiences without altering their core narrative.