ROCK ISLAND LINE

Questions?
Song Title
ROCK ISLAND LINE
Writers
Donegan
Publisher
HOLLIS MUSIC, INC. (BMI)
Co-Publisher
TRO Affiliate
% Publisher Controls
100%
Territory Controlled
WORLD
Themes/Keywords
Animals, Island, New Orleans, Rock, Train, travel
Lyrics
(Spoken) Now this here’s the story ‘bout the Rock Island Line.
Now the Rock Island Line she runs down into New Orleans,
And just outside New Orleans there’s a big toll gate,
And all the trains that go through the toll gate,
Why, they gotta pay the man some money.
But of course if you’ve got certain things on board,
You’re O.K. you don’t have to pay the man nothin’
And just now we see a train, she comin’ down the line,
And when she come up near the toll gate,
The driver, he shout down to the man and he say:

(Sung) I got pigs, I got horses, I got cows, I got sheep,
I got all live stock, I got all live stock, I got all live stock.

(Spoken) Hear the man say, “Well, you’re all right, boy,
Just get on through, you don’t have to pay me nothin.”
And the train go thru, and when he go thru the toll gate,
The train got up a little bit of steam and little bit of speed,
And when the driver think he safely on the other side,
He shout back down the line to the man, he said,

(Sung) “I fooled you, I fooled you, I got pig iron, I got pig iron,
I got all pig iron.

(Spoken) Now I tell you where I’m goin’, boy.”

CHORUS
(Sung) Down the Rock Island Line, it is a mighty good road,
Oh, the Rock Island Line it is the road to ride,
Oh, the Rock Island Line it is a mighty good road,
Well, 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.

I may be right, I may be wrong,
You know you’re gonna miss me when I’m gone. (Oh, the)

CHORUS

Hallelujah, I’m a-safe from sin,
The good Lord’s a-comin’ for to see me again. (Down the)

CHORUS

A, B, C, W, X, Y, Z,
Cat’s in the cupboard but he don’t see me. (Oh the)

CHORUS

Recordings

Recording Artist Genre Mood Arrangement Era iTunes
CHRIS THOMAS KING Blues Confrontational, Upbeat Acoustic Guitar, Vocal 2000's Buy >
JOHNNY CASH Country Confrontational, Upbeat Acoustic Guitar, Drums, Guitar, Live Performance, Vocal 1970's Buy >
KELLY PACE Singer/Songwriter Nostalgic, Soulful, Spiritual Acapella, Group Sing, Vocal 1930's Buy >
LEAD BELLY Blues Confrontational, Nostalgic, Upbeat Acoustic Guitar, Live Performance, Vocal 1930's Buy >
LONNIE DONEGAN Traditional Folk Confrontational, Upbeat Acoustic Guitar, Bass, Drums, Vocal 1950's Buy >
MERRILL E. MOORE Rock Confrontational, Upbeat Drums, Piano, Vocal 1950's Buy >
ODETTA Blues Cheerful, Fun, Smooth Drums, Percussion, Piano, Vocal 2000's Buy >
SNOOKS EAGLIN Blues Fun, Upbeat Acoustic Guitar, Vocal 1950's Buy >
STAN FREBERG Buy >
THE KNITTERS Rock Fun, Playful, Silly, Upbeat Acoustic Guitar, Drums, Group Sing, Vocal 1980's Buy >
THE MUSES World Cheerful, Light, Upbeat Acapella, Group Sing, Vocal 2000's Buy >
THE TARRIERS Singer/Songwriter Cheerful, Playful, Silly, Swinging Acoustic Guitar, Banjo, Drums, Group Sing, Vocal 1950's Buy >
THE WEAVERS Singer/Songwriter Cheerful, Fun, Playful Acoustic Guitar, Group Sing, Live Performance, Vocal 1950's Buy >

Disclaimer: Information on this page is intended for research purposes only. All information, including publisher, writer and split information is subject to change.
Please contact the appropriate performing rights organization to verify the information above.