Known as the world's favorite hobo, Boxcar Willie took a long train ride to his destination as a country music star. When he finally got there, he didn't waste a moment of his time. As a symbol of Americana, Boxcar Willie's dedication to traditional country music earned the widespread appreciation of audiences in Europe, where he first established his career. In his lifetime, he wrote over 400 songs, recorded duets with country music icons Willie Nelson and Hank Williams, Jr., and became one of the first performers to establish his own theater in Branson, Missouri. His lifelong love of country music sustained him throughout his long and varied career.
Born Lecil Travis Martin on September 1, 1931, in Ovilla, Texas, he was the oldest of five children. Martin's father worked for the railroad company that provided his family with a small house right next to the railroad tracks. For entertainment, Martin and his father would sit on the front porch and play music. Martin played guitar and his father played fiddle. Early in life Martin developed an appreciation for the music of Jimmie Rodgers, Roy Acuff, and Ernest Tubb. He was also influenced by Hank Williams.
As a teenager Martin had two loves: music and trains. He often hopped the trains that passed by his home and would ride for days through Louisiana, Texas, and Mississippi. Later in life he said he didn't think that train riding was as safe as it was when he was a kid. He explained to the Shawnee News-Star, "Nowadays you've got all these trespassing laws. And who knows what they carry in boxcars these days, with all those pesticides, herbicides and things. It's just not safe anymore." Music took him in another direction. He played in jamborees throughout Texas, hoping to make the big time.
To support himself and earn a trade, Martin joined the Air Force in 1949. He became a flight engineer on bombers. He served during the Korean War, logging 500 hours of air combat. All the while though, he maintained his love for music and performing. Throughout the 1950s he performed as Marty Martin with a band called the Rangers. In 1958 he released an album called Marty Martin Sings Country Music and Stuff Like That. The album went nowhere, but Martin continued to tour the western states of Nebraska, the Dakotas, and Kansas. Eventually Marty Martin and the Rangers changed their name to the Four Black Crows. Martin also appeared regularly on radio shows like the Big D Jamboree out of Dallas and the Cowtown Hoedown out of Fort Worth.
The 1960s found Martin continuing to play music in his spare time while holding down a job with the Air Force. Through the 1960s and 1970s he was a disc jockey in Corpus Christi, Texas. Eventually he realized that music was what he wanted to do with his life, and in 1976 he took a discharge from the Air Force. He moved to Nashville, Tennessee, and adopted the moniker Boxcar Willie based on a song he'd written in the mid-1960s.
As Boxcar Willie, Martin took on the persona of an affable hobo, traveling the railways, singing a song. His costume consisted of scuffed shoes, a worn-out hat, patched overalls, and a scruffy beard. Over the years he had perfected his talent of being able to mimic the sound of a train whistle. His hobo act won on an episode of the zany television variety program The Gong Show.
Martin's biggest win came in 1977 when he was performing at the Possum Hollow Club in Nashville. Drew Taylor, a Scottish booking agent, was watching the show and was impressed. Taylor booked Martin for a tour of England. Throughout England and Europe, Boxcar Willie's tribute to traditional country music and his kitschy persona appealed to crowds. Martin toured Europe through the remainder of the 1970s, becoming more and more popular. In 1979 his European popularity culminated with a standing ovation for his performance at the International Country Music Festival at Wembley Stadium in England.
By 1980 Martin had become one of the most successful country music performers in England. His records sold well, and he was also starting to pick up a following in his homeland. He had begun advertising his records in television commercials across America. His first appearance at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville was in 1979. In 1981 he was inducted as a member. That same year he earned a spot on the Country Music Hall of Fame's Walkway of the Stars. He was even elected to be the World Ambassador for the Hobos at a hobo convention in Britt, Iowa. In 1982 he began making regular appearances on the country music variety show Hee Haw, and his only American top-40 hit, "Bad News," made it to number 36 on the charts. In 1985 he appeared in the film Sweet Dreams, a movie about country singer Patsy Cline, in a bit part as a hobo.
By 1987 Martin's star was beginning to fade again, though he was still a popular concert draw in the United States and Europe. Instead of receding completely into the shadows, Martin took up residence in Branson. He built a 900-seat theater, becoming one of the first entertainers to make Branson his regular venue. He performed six shows a week for nine months out of the year until 1996, when he was diagnosed with leukemia.
Leukemia slowed Martin down during his treatment. He stopped performing completely until he had finished his course of chemotherapy. Once he recovered from the effects of treatment, he returned to the stage. He went from his usual six shows a week to four, and reduced the show's duration from two hours to 70 minutes. Martin was in full remission for almost two years before the cancer struck again. In 1999 his leukemia returned, and Martin died on April 12 in Branson.
Martin is survived by his second wife, Lloene Johnson, whom he met in 1962. Back then, he was playing in a club in Boise, Idaho, when she caught his eye. The two were married soon afterward. Lloene was a constant supportive element of Martin's life. When he was focusing exclusively on music, she held down various office jobs to support the family. Together they had twin sons Larry and Lorry. Martin also has a daughter, Tammy, from a previous marriage.
Years of hard work and dedication led to what many would call the overnight success of Boxcar Willie. Martin was nearly 50 years old when he made it big, and he never seemed to forget his humble beginnings. He was kind and generous with fans and became one of the most dependable and well-liked entertainers in Branson. The BBC Radio 2 website wrote about him, "[He] really was a happy-go-lucky personality, very down-to-earth and always sporting a wide, infectious smile."
by Eve M. B. Hermann
Boxcar Willie's Career
Learned to play guitar as a child; as a teenager played local jamborees; joined the Air Force, 1949; toured Nebraska, the Dakotas, and Kansas as Marty Martin and the Rangers, which became the Four Black Crows, c. late 1950s; helped launch the Cowtown Hoedown in Fort Worth, TX, c. 1962; a regular on the Big D Jamboree radio show in Dallas, TX, c. 1962; radio DJ in Corpus Christi, TX, 1960s-70s; left Air Force, moved to Nashville, TN, 1976; won on The Gong Show, 1977; toured Britain extensively, 1977-80; performed at International Country Music Festival at Wembley Stadium, England, 1979; first appearance at Grand Ole Opry, 1979; regular spot on television show Hee Haw, 1982; opened his own theater in Branson, MO, 1987; performed six shows a week, nine months a year, 1987-96; returned to performing, 1997-99.
Boxcar Willie's Awards
Spot on the Country Music Hall of Fame's Walkway of the Stars, 1981; Music City News, Most Promising Male Vocalist, 1981.
Famous Works
Selected discography
Boxcar Willie , MCA, 1976.
Last Train to Heaven , Mainstreet, 1982.
The Collection (compilation), Castle, 1987.
Best Loved Favorites (compilation), Vanguard, 1988.
King of the Freight Train , MCA, 1992.
Boxcar Blues , Madacy, 1994.
Best of Boxcar Willie (compilation), Madacy, 1995.
Truck Drivin' Son of a Gun (compilation), Cleopatra, 1999.
Further Reading
Sources
Periodicals
New York Times, April 14, 1999, p. C27.
People, April 19, 1982, p. 89.
Shawnee News-Star, September 20, 1997.
Online
"Boxcar Willie," All Music Guide, http://www.allmusic.com/ (November 8, 2002).
"Boxcar Willie," BBC Radio 2, http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/country/artistdb/boxcarwillie.shtml (November 8, 2002).
"Boxcar Willie," VH1.com, http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/boxcar_willie/bio.jhtml (November 8, 2002).
Boxcar Willie Official Website, http://www.boxcarwillie.com (November 8, 2002).
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2 months ago
Mike Wallace
One aspect of Boxcar Willie's career that seems to be overlooked in most of his bios is the time he spent playing in the Boise, Idaho area in the early '60s... He was one of those Porter Waggoner-style sequin suit country guys with a scrubbed face and perfect haircut. He even had an afternoon television program called (as god is my witness) "Ida-Hoedown". My dad was a bar owner for most of the years of my youth, and his "Where were you when JFK was assassinated?" story is of getting the news over the TV while sitting at a local bar (the "Pink Elephant Club"...again, I swear that's the name) having a beer with Marty Martin. Marty just couldn't seem to make it happen in the very competitive C&W market that existed here in the early/mid 60's, but he somehow ended up reinventing himself as "Boxcar Willie" and our friends in the U.K. took the ball and ran with it.
6 months ago
jamie rudisill
boxcar is one or my favorite singers even today i still listen to him there is nobody better and his smile would make you smile we will always miss such a great star
Copyright Β© 2009 Net Industries - All Rights Reserved
TRAIN
Boxcar Willie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mule train!! (Hyah, hyah)
Mule train!!
Clippety cloppin' over hill and plain
Seems as how they never stop, clippety clop, clippety clop
Clippety, clippety, clippety, clippety, clippety cloppin' along
A ghee-tar for a cowboy 'way out in Arizona
A dress of calico for a pretty Navajo
Get along, mule! , get along
Mule train!! (Hyah, hyah)
Mule train!!
Clippety cloppin' o'er the mountain chain
Soon they're gonna reach the top, clippety clop, clippety clop
Clippety, clippety, clippety, clippety, clippety cloppin' along
There's some cotton thread and needles for the folks in way-out-yonder
A shovel for a miner who left his home to wander
Some rheumatism pills for the settlers in the hills
Get along, mule!! , get along
Mule train!! (Hyah, hyah)
Mule train!!
Clippety cloppin' through the wind and rain
They'll keep goin' till they drop, clippety clop, clippety clop
Clippety, clippety, clippety, clippety, clippety cloppin' along
There's a letter full of sadness trimmed with black around the border
A pair of boots for someone who had them made to order
A bible in the pack for the Reverend Mr. Black
Get along, mule! , get along
Get along, mule, get along!! (mule train)
(Hyah, hyah)
(Hyah, hyah)
FADE
Boxcar Willie's song "Mule Train" is a tribute to the resilient and hardworking mules that played an important role in the development of the American West. The lyrics describe a mule train that goes over hill and plain, mountain chains, wind and rain, tirelessly delivering goods and supplies to different parts of the country. The chorus "Mule train, clippety cloppin' along" creates a rhythmic and catchy tune that adds to the excitement of the song.
The verses of the song highlight some of the specific goods being transported by the mule train, from tobacco for a rancher in Corona to needles for folks in way-out-yonder to a bible for Reverend Mr. Black. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the diverse communities and individuals that relied on the mules to receive essential items that were not commonly available in their remote locations. The song is a tribute to the unsung heroes of the American West who endured long and hard journeys to bring supplies to those in need.
In summary, Boxcar Willie's "Mule Train" is a lively and colorful tribute to the mules and their handlers who helped shape the American West. The song's catchy tune and specific references to goods and places help bring the journey of the mule train to life.
Line by Line Meaning
Mule train!! (Hyah, hyah)
The mule train is coming!
Mule train!!
The mules are coming, driven forward by their handlers' energy
Clippety cloppin' over hill and plain
The sound of the mules' hooves is heard as they move over the landscape
Seems as how they never stop, clippety clop, clippety clop
The mules continue to move, their progress never-ending
Clippety, clippety, clippety, clippety, clippety cloppin' along
The sound of the mules' hooves continues, a steady rhythm
There's a plug o'chaw tobacky for a rancher in Corona
The mules carry supplies such as tobacco for a specific person in Corona.
A ghee-tar for a cowboy 'way out in Arizona
They also transport a guitar for a cowboy living in Arizona
A dress of calico for a pretty Navajo
...and a dress made of calico for a Navajo woman
Get along, mule! , get along
The handlers urge the mules to keep moving forward
Clippety cloppin' o'er the mountain chain
The mules move over the mountains with the same clippety-clop sound
Soon they're gonna reach the top, clippety clop, clippety clop
They are determined to reach the top
There's some cotton thread and needles for the folks in way-out-yonder
The mules are transporting supplies to a remote area
A shovel for a miner who left his home to wander
They're also bringing a shovel for a miner who is traveling
Some rheumatism pills for the settlers in the hills
And some medicine for the people living in the hills who suffer from rheumatism
Clippety cloppin' through the wind and rain
The mules trek through difficult weather conditions
They'll keep goin' till they drop, clippety clop, clippety clop
They persist in moving forward until they are exhausted
There's a letter full of sadness trimmed with black around the border
The mules are transporting emotional items, such as a letter of condolence
A pair of boots for someone who had them made to order
Personal items, such as specific boots, are included in their cargo
A bible in the pack for the Reverend Mr. Black
A Bible is also being transported for a reverend by the name of Mr. Black.
Get along, mule! , get along
The handlers continue to encourage the mules to move forward until their journey is complete.
Get along, mule, get along!! (mule train)
The specific commands indicate that the journey continues to be long and arduous, but it must go on.
(Hyah, hyah)
The sound of the mules' handlers urging them forward and encouraging them to keep going
Lyrics Β© O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Fred Glickman, Hy Heath, Johnny Lange
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@norma7752
I wish they would bring music like this back to the grand old opry
@thurlravenscroft2572
Heβs a legend! 27 years as a flight engineer in the Air Force. Then he had this amazing career!
@eamonngaynor5762
A country music treasure/legend badly missed in what sadly ΔΊooks like a declinig world of country music still Boxcar Willie left a treasure trove of country music
@digitaldeath1876
The reason I know who boxcar is. My grandfather raised me as his son. He could do the train horn just like boxcar Willie. And I mean just like him or better. He couldn't sing but he could do the train hornπ€£. I miss my daddy the man I called Pap. He was born in 1933. People from that generation were a different breed. Including boxcar Willie
@twistedhatter1313
my Father born 1939 introduced me to Boxcar Willie, Johnny Horton, Conway Twitty, and so many more. Before his time came I introduced him to The Devil Makes Three, Hank the Third, and the Pine Box Boys. Before his death he finally got to hear some of that old time sound come back around. Thanks for the stroll down that lonesome highway.
@darrenwilson4656
My grandfather did the same lest we forget π’
@nubie1100
Same π
@amoose8439
That's so awesome
@r.o.g.79
Wow Boxcar could hold that note in, a legend....
@richardsmith3129
Love Boxcar Willie. I always felt he was underrated as a performer. I can't understand why. He was Great. π