Jackie Washington
Blackie and the Rodeo Kings Lyrics

Jackie Washington rode the rails
Jackie Washington travelled by train

Way back in World War II
This was during World War II

Playing his guitar in the sleeper car
Jackie played his guitar while on the train

To lullaby the lucky few
He played music to help people fall asleep

He worked the Canadian Pacific line
Jackie worked for the Canadian Pacific railway company

To satisfy his wandering bones
He travelled to satisfy his restless spirit

There weren't a lot of men that he couldn't call friend
Jackie was friends with almost everyone

Or places that he couldn't call home, good Lord
He felt at home almost everywhere

Saying, "Mr. Conductor put the hammer down
Jackie spoke to the conductor

I'm not gonna rest 'till I reach Hammer Town
Jackie was determined to reach his destination

I got a girl on the East Side and there's a band on the West Side
He had a loved one on one side of town and wanted to experience the music on the other side

Playing blues and sentimental"
The music he wanted to hear was blues and sentimental songs

He never crossed over that American border
Jackie never went into the USA

Though he lived just a few miles away
Even though he was close by

He said, "Everything I need I can find right here
Jackie was content and found happiness where he was

North of the USA"
He didn't need to go to the USA to find what he needed

Guitar and piano and a thousand tunes
Jackie played lots of different music

And his brothers just playing all night
His bandmates played music with him all night long

Singing every song from the hit parade
They played popular songs that were currently being played on the radio

And swinging by the steel mill light, good Lord
They played music close to the steel mill

Saying, "Mr. Conductor put the hammer down
Jackie talked to the conductor again

I'm not gonna rest 'till I reach Hammer Town
He repeated his determination to get to his destination

I got a girl on the East Side and there's a band on the West Side
He repeated his reason for wanting to get to Hammer Town

Playing blues and sentimental"
He repeated the type of music he wanted to hear

Jackie Washington takes the stage
Jackie performs a show

The same way that he's always been
He performs in the same style as he always has

Lighting up the aisles with a heavenly smile
He performs with a radiant smile that brightens the room

And bringing everybody in
Everyone in the room is captivated by his performance

Jackie made '80 back in '99
Jackie earned $80 in 1999

Still he plays every show that he can
Jackie still performs as often as possible

And there's a midnight train rolling somewhere tonight
There's a train travelling at midnight somewhere tonight

And Jackie's strumming like a steel-driving man, good Lord
Jackie is playing his guitar with lots of energy

Saying, "Mr. Conductor put the hammer down
He talks to the conductor again

I'm not gonna rest 'till I reach Hammer Town
He repeats his determination to get to his destination

I got a girl on the East Side and there's a band on the West Side
He repeats his reason for wanting to get to Hammer Town

Playing blues and sentimental"
He repeats the type of music he wants to hear

Hey, Jackie Washington
The song is addressing Jackie Washington directly

Long may your sweet song carry on
May Jackie's music continue for a long time

Everybody on the East Side and everybody on the West side
Everyone on both sides of the town

Everybody on the East Side and everybody on the West side
Everyone on both sides of the town

Loves the blues and sentimental
Everyone in town likes this kind of music