ROCK ISLAND LINE

Questions?
Song Title
ROCK ISLAND LINE
Writers
Ledbetter, Huddie, Lomax Alan
Publisher
FOLKWAYS MUSIC PUBLISHERS, INC. (BMI)
% Publisher Controls
100%
Territory Controlled
WORLD
Themes/Keywords
Animal, Animals, Folk, Island, Livestock, Ride, Road, Rock, Train
Lyrics
I got goats, I got sheep, I got cows, I got hogs, I got horses,
I got all livestock, I got all livestock.

Chorus:
Oh the Rock Island Line it’s a mighty good road,
Oh the Rock Island Line it’s the road to ride.
Oh the Rock Island Line it’s a mighty good road,
If you want to ride, you got to ride it like you find it,
Get your ticket at the station on the Rock Island Line.

Jesus died to save our sins,
Glory to God, we gonna meet him again. (Chorus)

A, B, C, double X, Y, Z,
Cats in the cupboard but they don't see me. (Chorus)

I may be right and I may be wrong,
know you gwine-a miss me when I'm gone. (Chorus)


(additional words from 1945 Folkways recording)
I fooled ya, I fooled ya, I got iron
I got all pig-iron, I got all pig-iron.

(from 1944 Capitol recording)
That Rock Island Line train out of Mullaine (sic)
Comin’ back this way
That depot agent gonna throw away that switchboard over the track
That means that Rock Island Line train’s got to go in the hole
That man don’t wanna stop the train
He gonna talk to the depot agent with his whistle
And this is what he gonna tell him: (spoken)
I got cows, I got horses etc.

That depot agent gonna let that train by
When that Rock Island Line train get by
That agent gonna talk back to the depot agent with his whistle
And this is what he gonna tell him,
I thank you, I thank you, I thank you
Now that little Rock Island Line train is gettin’ on down the road

Recordings

Recording Artist Genre Mood Arrangement Era iTunes
ALASTAIR MOOCK Buy >
ALASTAIR MOOCK Buy >
CHRIS THOMAS KING Blues Confrontational, Upbeat Acoustic Guitar, Vocal 2000's Buy >
CHRIS THOMAS KING Blues Confrontational, Upbeat Acoustic Guitar, Vocal 2000's Buy >
GRAHAM BONNET Buy >
GRAHAM BONNET Buy >
JOHNNY CASH Country Confrontational, Upbeat Acoustic Guitar, Drums, Guitar, Live Performance, Vocal 1970's Buy >
JOHNNY CASH Country Confrontational, Upbeat Acoustic Guitar, Drums, Guitar, Live Performance, Vocal 1970's Buy >
JOHNNY HORTON 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 >
LEAD BELLY Buy >
LEAD BELLY Buy >
LONNIE DONEGAN Traditional Folk Confrontational, Upbeat Acoustic Guitar, Bass, Drums, Vocal 1950's Buy >
LONNIE DONEGAN & HIS SKIFFLE GROUP Buy >
MANO NEGRA Buy >
MANO NEGRA Buy >
MERRILL E. MOORE Rock Confrontational, Upbeat Drums, Piano, 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 >
ODETTA Blues Cheerful, Fun, Smooth Drums, Percussion, Piano, Vocal 2000's Buy >
SNOOKS EAGLIN Blues Fun, Upbeat Acoustic Guitar, Vocal 1950's Buy >
SNOOKS EAGLIN Blues Fun, Upbeat Acoustic Guitar, Vocal 1950's Buy >
STAN FREBERG Buy >
STAN FREBERG Buy >

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Please contact the appropriate performing rights organization to verify the information above.