The Freedom Train
Bing Crosby & The Andrews Sisters Lyrics
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Not the Atchison, Topeka, not the Chattanooga Choo-Choo
Nor the one that leaves at midnight for the state of Alabam'
This song is a train song where the engineer is Uncle Sam
Here comes the Freedom Train
You better hurry down
Just like a Paul Revere
Inside the freedom train
You'll find a precious freight
Those words of liberty
The documents that made us great
You can shout your anger from a steeple
You can shoot the system full of holes
You can always question "We the People"
You can get your answer at the polls
That's how it's always been
And how it will remain
So long as all of us
Keep riding on the Freedom Train
You can write the President a letter
You can even tell him to his face
If you think that you can do it better
Get the votes and you can take his place
You can hate the laws that you're obeying
You can shout your anger to the crowd
We may disagree with what you're saying
But we'll fight to let you say it loud
Bing Crosby's song the Freedom Train is a patriotic song that speaks of the classic American values of freedom and democracy. The song expresses that the Freedom Train, driven by Uncle Sam, is coming to different towns, and encourages people to come and see what the train holds. The song thus symbolizes the values of the United States, and the idea that everyone is entitled to those values. The train carries documentation that made the United States into what it is today, and the song emphasizes that those documents are the precious freight on the train.
The lyrics of the song also highlight the idea of democracy, that people have the right to voice their opinions without being punished, and the right to be heard by the government officials. The song emphasizes that these rights should never be taken for granted and that it is important for people to stay engaged in the democratic process.
In conclusion, the Freedom Train is a song of unity and patriotism that seeks to inspire the American people to keep the ideas of democracy and freedom alive. The song highlights the importance of being engaged in the democratic process and never taking one's freedom for granted.
Line by Line Meaning
This song is a train song, it's a song about a train
The song is about a train and its journey.
Not the Atchison, Topeka, not the Chattanooga Choo-Choo
The song is not about popular trains like the Atchison or Topeka but something else.
Nor the one that leaves at midnight for the state of Alabam'
The song is also not about the midnight train from a place to Alabama.
This song is a train song where the engineer is Uncle Sam
The song is about a special train ride which is being conducted by the government represented by Uncle Sam.
Here comes the Freedom Train
The Freedom Train is approaching.
You better hurry down
Attendees are being encouraged to hurry down and catch the train.
Just like a Paul Revere
The train is akin to Paul Revere who warned people of things approaching.
It's comin' into your home town
The Freedom train is coming into attendee's home town.
Inside the freedom train
Once aboard the train,
You'll find a precious freight
Passengers would discover something valuable.
Those words of liberty
The train carries documents containing our country's principles of freedom.
The documents that made us great
The documents on the train made the country great.
You can shout your anger from a steeple
People can voice their frustrations publicly.
You can shoot the system full of holes
They are at liberty to criticize policies and systems they disagree with.
You can always question 'We the People'
Citizens can challenge the government's decisions.
You can get your answer at the polls
Citizens can vote to make changes.
That's how it's always been
This is how democratic processes have always worked.
And how it will remain
This is how democratic processes will always work.
So long as all of us
As long as we all
Keep riding on the Freedom Train
Support our country's democratic processes by being involved.
You can write the President a letter
You are free to write to the President.
You can even tell him to his face
You can even voice your concerns to the President directly.
If you think that you can do it better
If you think you have a better approach.
Get the votes and you can take his place
Get support from citizens and you can take his place in office.
You can hate the laws that you're obeying
You might not like the laws, but you still have to follow them.
You can shout your anger to the crowd
You can express your grievances to the public.
We may disagree with what you're saying
Others may disagree with what you are saying.
But we'll fight to let you say it loud
Others will fight for your right to say it loud.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: IRVING BERLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind