Chattanooga Choo Choo
Glenn Miller Lyrics
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Step aside partner, it's my day
Bend an ear and listen to my version
Of a really solid Tennessee excursion
Pardon me, boy
Is that the Chattanooga choo choo? (yes yes)
Track twenty-nine
Can you 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
Then to have your ham an' eggs in Carolina
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
So Chattanooga choo choo
Won't you choo-choo me home?
Chattanooga Chattanooga
Get aboard
Chattanooga Chattanooga
All Aboard
Chattanooga Chattanooga
Chattanooga choo choo
Won't you choo-choo me home?
Chattanooga choo choo
The opening lines to Glenn Miller's Chattanooga Choo Choo introduce us to the song's protagonist, who is enthusiastically making his way to Chattanooga, Tennessee by train. The lyrics are written in a colloquial, almost slang-like format, with key phrases like "Step aside partner, it's my day," and "Can you afford to board a Chattanooga choo choo" expressing the singer's confidence and excitement. As the song progresses, we hear about the various stops along the journey, with the singer painting a vivid picture of life on the rails, from the relaxed pace of reading a magazine in Baltimore, to the excitement of hearing the whistle blow eight times in anticipation of arriving in Tennessee.
One of the most interesting elements of Chattanooga Choo Choo is the way it fuses together different genres and musical styles. The song's instrumental arrangement is heavily influenced by swing and big band jazz, with a prominent horn section and driving drum beat. However, the lyrics themselves are more reminiscent of early rock 'n' roll or rhythm and blues, with their energetic, call-and-response structure and slang-heavy language. This mix of musical styles helped to make Chattanooga Choo Choo a crossover hit, appealing not just to traditional swing fans but also to younger listeners who were drawn to more modern-sounding music.
Line by Line Meaning
Hi there Tex, what you say
Greetings Tex, how are you doing?
Step aside partner, it's my day
Please move over partner, today is my turn in the spotlight.
Bend an ear and listen to my version
Please pay close attention to my interpretation or telling of the story.
Of a really solid Tennessee excursion
I'd like to share with you a great story about a trip to Tennessee.
Pardon me, boy
Excuse me young man
Is that the Chattanooga choo choo? (yes yes)
Is that the train to Chattanooga?
Track twenty-nine
I want the train that leaves from track twenty-nine.
Boy, you can gimme a shine
Young man, can you polish my shoes?
Can you afford To board a Chattanooga choo choo
Do you have enough money to take this train to Chattanooga?
I've got my fare And just a trifle to spare
I have enough money to buy my ticket and a little bit extra.
You leave the Pennsylvania Station 'bout a quarter to four
The train departs from Pennsylvania Station at around 3:45 PM.
Read a magazine and then you're in Baltimore
You can read a magazine and then you'll already be in Baltimore.
Dinner in the diner
Enjoying dinner in the dining car.
Nothing could be finer
It's such a great experience!
Then to have your ham an' eggs in Carolina
Especially if you're having ham and eggs in the state of Carolina.
When you hear the whistle blowin' eight to the bar
Once you hear the train whistle blowing steadily and rhythmically.
Then you know that Tennessee is not very far
You can be sure that we're getting closer to Tennessee.
Shovel all the coal in
The workers on the train must keep putting coal into the engine's furnace.
Gotta keep it rollin'
We must keep the train moving towards its destination.
Woo, woo, Chattanooga there you are
We've arrived in Chattanooga!
There's gonna be
Something is going to happen.
A certain party at the station
There's someone I need to see at the train station.
Satin and lace
This person is dressed in fine clothing.
I used to call "funny face"
I used to give this person the nickname 'funny face'.
She's gonna cry
This person may start crying.
Until I tell her that I'll never roam
I'll need to reassure her that I'll never leave her again.
So Chattanooga choo choo
Train to Chattanooga
Won't you choo-choo me home?
Can you please take me home on this train?
Chattanooga Chattanooga
The city of Chattanooga.
Get aboard
It's time to get on the train.
All Aboard
Everyone get on the train!
Chattanooga Chattanooga
The city of Chattanooga.
Chattanooga choo choo
Train to Chattanooga
Won't you choo-choo me home?
Can you please take me home on this train?
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Mack Gordon, Harry Warren
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind