We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

The Wabash Cannonball

from Greetings from the Public Domain by Gary L. Rebholz

/

about

This American folk song is speculated to have been written by hobos as "The Great Rock Island Route" in the 1890s. Hobos or not, no one knows who wrote it even as it has become a standard of bluegrass and country/folk singers. It has become widely known by the name I use here and has an unknown number of verses made up by various artists over the years.

lyrics

From the great Atlantic ocean to the wild Pacific shore
To the green old flowery mountains to the ice-bound Labrador
She's long and tall and handsome and known quite well to all
She's the modern combination called the Wabash Cannonball

Listen to the jingle, the jumble, and the roar
As she glides along the woodlands through hills and by the shore
Hear the mighty rush of engines and the lonesome hobos call
While ridin' through the jungle on the Wabash Cannonball

She came in from Birmingham on a cold and frosty day
As she rolled into the station you could hear the people say
There's a gal out there from Tennessee she's long and boy she's tall
She's the modern combination called the Wabash Cannonball

Listen to the jingle, the jumble, and the roar
As she glides along the woodlands through hills and by the shore
Hear the mighty rush of engines and the lonesome hobos call
While ridin' through the jungle on the Wabash Cannonball

Now the eastern states are dandy so all the people say
From New York to St. Louis and Chicago by the way
From the lakes of Minihaha where the laughing waters fall
No change in standard gaugin' on the Wabash Cannonball

Listen to the jingle, the jumble, and the roar
As she glides along the woodlands, through hills and by the shore
Hear the mighty rush of engines and the lonesome hobos call
While ridin' through the jungle on the Wabash Cannonball

credits

from Greetings from the Public Domain, released January 1, 2020
All instruments and vocals by Gary L. Rebholz. Public Domain. Arrangement and recording © 2019, Gary L. Rebholz

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Gary L. Rebholz image

Gary L. Rebholz Madison, Wisconsin

Songwriter, singer, and musician, Gary writes and records in a number of different genres. His music is influenced by early country, rockabilly, rock and roll, and acoustic blues styles, resulting in a roots rock/Americana sound with shades of Johnny Cash, Elvis, The Beatles, Paul Simon, and Springsteen. Acoustic and electric instruments combine for a wide range of styles, sounds, and emotions. ... more

contact / help

Contact Gary L. Rebholz

Streaming and
Download help

Report this track or account

If you like Gary L. Rebholz, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Featuring interviews with LA music scene pillar Kamasi Washington, and new London-based duo Mrcy.

listen now