Song This Train Is Bound For Glory

Alright, gather 'round, folks. I've got a tale to spin about a song that's as old as the hills, yet still gets people tapping their toes and snapping their fingers. I'm talkin' 'bout "This Train Is Bound For Glory," a tune that's been chugging along since the 1920s, and it's not showing any signs of slowing down.

Where It All Began

Now, you might be thinkin', "Where in tarnation did this song come from?" Well, buckle up, 'cause we're about to take a little trip back in time. The story goes that a fella named Woody Guthrie wrote this song in the late 1930s. Yes, that Woody Guthrie, the same one who wrote "This Land Is Your Land." But here's where it gets interesting: Guthrie didn't actually write the lyrics. Nope, he lifted 'em straight from a hymn book!

I know, I know, you're thinkin' I've been sippin' on the café's finest moonshine. But it's true! Guthrie took the lyrics from a 19th-century gospel song called "This Train," gave it a little tweak, and voila! "This Train Is Bound For Glory" was born. Talk about a musical train robbery!

Ridin' the Rails

So, why did Guthrie choose a hymn to turn into a folk song? Well, it's all about the metaphor, folks. You see, in the 1930s, trains were the lifeblood of America. They connected folks from coast to coast, and Guthrie, being a bit of a wanderer himself, knew a thing or two about hitchin' rides on those iron horses.

He saw the train as a symbol of life's journey, with each car representin' a different stage of life. There's the "coffin car," the "holler car," the "joker car," and even the "death car." It's like a musical game of Snakes and Ladders, folks! But don't worry, there's a "sky car" too, where the righteous folks get to ride in peace.

Mumford And Sons This Train Is Bound For Glory Lyrics

Glory Bound

Now, you might be thinkin', "That's all well and good, but what's this 'glory' business all about?" Well, my friends, that's the million-dollar question. You see, "glory" in this context isn't about gold or fame. No, it's about somethin' much more valuable: freedom.

Guthrie was a firm believer in the power of the common man, and he saw this train as a symbol of that power. It's a train that doesn't discriminate, that takes everyone where they need to go, no matter who they are or where they come from. It's a train that's bound for glory, because it's bound for freedom.

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All Aboard!

Now, you might be thinkin', "This all sounds like a mighty fine song, but I've never heard it before." Well, that's where you're wrong, my friend. You see, "This Train Is Bound For Glory" has been covered by just about everyone under the sun. We're talkin' Bob Dylan, Pete Seeger, Bruce Springsteen, even the Sex Pistols! That's right, folks, even Johnny Rotten knows the power of this tune.

So, the next time you're feelin' down, or like life's just a long, hard slog, remember Woody Guthrie's train. Remember that no matter where you're goin', no matter what you've been through, there's always a train bound for glory. And who knows? Maybe one day, you'll find yourself singin' along with the rest of us.

And there you have it, folks. The story of "This Train Is Bound For Glory," a song that's been chuggin' along for nearly a century, and shows no signs of slowin' down. So, the next time you hear those opening lyrics, "This train is bound for glory, this train," remember the story behind the song. And who knows? Maybe you'll find a little bit of glory in your own life too.