Thompson's musical style, characterized as Honky Tonk Swing, is a mixture of big-band instrumentation, fiddle and steel guitar that supports his distinctive, gravelly baritone vocals on songs he often writes himself. His backing band, The Brazos Valley Boys, was voted the No.1 Country Western Band for 14 years in a row by Billboard Magazine.
He decided to pursue his musical talent after serving in the U.S. Navy in World War II as a radioman and studying electrical engineering at the university level. His first single was "Whoa Sailor" in 1946. The year 1952 brought his first #1 disc, "The Wild Side of Life", which contained the memorable line "I didn't know God made honky-tonk angels" (which inspired the Kitty Wells response, "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels"). Other hits followed in quick succession in the 1950s and 1960s. Although not as prominent in later decades, he has remained an active and respected performer in the field, finding new audiences as a result of the resurgence of a harder-edged sound in country music.
Hank Thompson was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1989 and was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1997. He was born 3 September 1925 in Waco, Texas, and passed away at home in Keller, Texas, on 6 November 2007, just four days after cancelling his final tour.
Wabash Cannon Ball
Hank Thompson Lyrics
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(A.P. Carter - William Kindt)
« © '46 Peer International »
From the great Atlantic ocean to the wide Pacific shore
From the queen of the flowing mountains to the southbells by the shore
She's mighty tall and handsome and known quite well by all
She's a regular combination on the Wabash CannonballListen to the jingle to the rumble and the roar
As she glides along the woodland through the hills and by the shore
Hear the mighty rush of the engine hear that lonesome hoboes call
You're travelin' through the jungle on the Wabash Cannonball
She came down from Birmingham one cold December day
As she rolled into the station you could hear all the people say
Now there's a gal from Tennessee she's long and she's tall
She came down from Birmingham on the Wabash Cannonball
Our eastern states are dandy so the people always say
From New York to St Louis and Chicago by the way
From the hills of Minnesota where the rippling waters fall
No changes can be taken on the Wabash Cannonball
Here's to daddy Claxton may his name forever stand
And long to be remembered round the ports of Alabam
His earthly race is over and the curtains round him fall
We'll carry him home to Dixie on the Wabash Cannonball
Listen to the jingle the rumble and the roar
As she glides along the woodland through the hills and by the shore
Hear the mighty rush of the engine hear that lonesome hoboes call
You're traveling through the jungle on the Wabash Cannonball
The lyrics of "Wabash Cannonball" tell the story of a legendary train that travels across the United States, from the Atlantic ocean to the Pacific shore, and from the mountains to the sea. The train is described as "mighty tall and handsome," and it is known by all who have seen it. Hank Thompson sings about the train's jingle, rumble, and roar as it glides through the woods, over hills, and by the shore. The engine's mighty rush and the hoboes' lonesome call are heard as the train travels through the jungle. The song also pays tribute to the father of the Wabash Cannonball, Daddy Claxton, and promises to carry him home to Dixie on the train that he helped make famous.
Line by Line Meaning
From the great Atlantic ocean to the wide Pacific shore
The Wabash Cannonball train runs from the East Coast to the West Coast of the United States
From the queen of the flowing mountains to the southbells by the shore
The train passes by beautiful mountain ranges and Southern towns along its route
She's mighty tall and handsome and known quite well by all
The train is a well-known and admired mode of transportation
She's a regular combination on the Wabash Cannonball
The train has a set route and schedule
Listen to the jingle to the rumble and the roar
The sounds of the train are exciting and exhilarating
As she glides along the woodland through the hills and by the shore
The train passes by beautiful and scenic areas along its route
Hear the mighty rush of the engine hear that lonesome hoboes call
The sound of the train is powerful and can be heard from a distance
You're travelin' through the jungle on the Wabash Cannonball
Riding the train is a thrilling adventure
She came down from Birmingham one cold December day
The Wabash Cannonball train originated in Birmingham in December
As she rolled into the station you could hear all the people say
The arrival of the train was a notable event that drew attention from locals
Now there's a gal from Tennessee she's long and she's tall
A passenger from Tennessee on the train was particularly noticeable for her height
Our eastern states are dandy so the people always say
People speak positively about the beauty of the Eastern United States
From New York to St Louis and Chicago by the way
The train passes through major cities in the Eastern and Midwestern United States
From the hills of Minnesota where the rippling waters fall
The train passes by scenic areas in Minnesota with rushing waterfalls
No changes can be taken on the Wabash Cannonball
The train's schedule is reliable and passengers don't need to worry about unexpected changes
Here's to daddy Claxton may his name forever stand
A tribute to someone named Claxton who deserves to be remembered
And long to be remembered round the ports of Alabam
Claxton was particularly influential around the ports of Alabama and should be honored there
His earthly race is over and the curtains round him fall
Claxton has passed away
We'll carry him home to Dixie on the Wabash Cannonball
Claxton will be honored by being transported on the train to his home in the South
Listen to the jingle the rumble and the roar
The excitement of the train's sound is worth appreciating
As she glides along the woodland through the hills and by the shore
The train's route features picturesque scenery
Hear the mighty rush of the engine hear that lonesome hoboes call
The train's sound evokes feelings of power and a sense of adventure
You're traveling through the jungle on the Wabash Cannonball
The train is a thrilling way to explore the United States
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: A.P. CARTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind