Chattanooga Choo Choo
Bing Crosby & The Andrews Sisters Lyrics
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Track twenty nine, boy you can gimme a shine
I can afford to board a Chattanooga Choo Choo
I've got my fare and just a trifle to spare
You leave the Pennsylvania station 'bout a quarter to four
Read a magazine and then you're in Baltimore
Dinner in the diner, nothing could be finer
When you hear the whistle blowin' eight to the bar
Then you know that Tennessee is not very far
Shovel all the coal in, gotta keep it rollin'
Woo, woo, Chattanooga, there you are
There's gonna be a certain party at the station
Satin and lace, I used to call funny face
She's gonna cry until I tell her that I'll never roam
The lyrics to the classic song "Chattanooga Choo Choo" by Bing Crosby & The Andrews Sisters depict a journey on a train from Pennsylvania to Tennessee. The first verse introduces the singer on the platform, enquiring about the Chattanooga Choo Choo, which is a train that will take him from Pennsylvania to Tennessee. He has his fare and can't wait to board the train. The second verse describes the train journey and its experiences, including the dinner in the diner, and the thrill of hearing the whistle blowing eight to the bar, symbolizing that Tennessee isn't far off. The final verse reveals that the singer has a destination in mind, a certain station where a party and a particular person (Satin and Lace or the Funny Face) awaits him, and he plans on staying with her and never leaving her.
Overall, the song portrays the excitement and experience of train travel, as well as the romance that can occur during such a journey. The lyrics are cleverly written, using memorable imagery and a catchy, upbeat melody to create a sense of adventure and romance.
Line by Line Meaning
Pardon me boy, is that the Chattanooga Choo Choo?
Excuse me, do you know if that's the train to Chattanooga?
Track twenty nine, boy you can gimme a shine
The train is leaving from track 29, would you shine my shoes?
I can afford to board a Chattanooga Choo Choo
I have enough money to buy a ticket for the Chattanooga train
I've got my fare and just a trifle to spare
I have my ticket and a little bit of extra money
You leave the Pennsylvania station 'bout a quarter to four
The train leaves the Pennsylvania station at around 3:45 pm
Read a magazine and then you're in Baltimore
You can read a magazine and before you know it, you'll be in Baltimore
Dinner in the diner, nothing could be finer
Having dinner in the train's dining car is an excellent experience
Than to have your ham 'n' eggs in Carolina
Eating some ham and eggs in Carolina is something great
When you hear the whistle blowin' eight to the bar
When you hear the whistle blowing rapidly
Then you know that Tennessee is not very far
You will soon arrive in Tennessee
Shovel all the coal in, gotta keep it rollin'
They need to keep shoveling coal to keep the train moving
Woo, woo, Chattanooga, there you are
They've arrived at Chattanooga
There's gonna be a certain party at the station
A party is expected to take place at the station
Satin and lace, I used to call funny face
A woman named 'funny face' who wore satin and lace clothes
She's gonna cry until I tell her that I'll never roam
She'll be upset until I reassure her that I won't leave her
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Mack Gordon, Harry Warren
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind