On the Atchison Topeka and the Santa Fe
Johnny Mercer Lyrics
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I figure that it's engine number forty nine
She's the only one that'll sound that way
On the Atchison, Topeka and The Santa Fe
See the old smoke risin' 'round the bend
I reckon that she knows she's gonna meet a friend
Folks around these parts get the time of day
Here she comes
Whoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo
Hey, Jim you'd better get the ring
Whoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo
She's got a list o' passengers that's pretty big
And they'll all want lifts to Brown's Hotel
'Cause lots o' them been travelin' for quite a spell
All the way from Philadelphia
On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe
All aboard, all aboard
Let her rip, let her rip, Mr. Engineer
Gotta go, gotta go far away from here
While the man at the fire shovels in the coals
Stick your head out the cab and watch the drivers roll
See the towns and the roads go a whizzing by
Fare thee well Laramie and Albuquerque High
Yes sir, here we are, going all the way, mustn't quit till we hit California
From on the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe
From on the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe
Here she comes
Whoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo
Hey, Jim you'd better get the ring
Whoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo
She's got a list o' passengers that's pretty big
And they'll all want lifts to Brown's Hotel
'Cause lots o' them been travelin' for quite a spell
All the way from Philadelphia
On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe
The song "On The Atchison Topeka and The Santa Fe" is a lively and upbeat tune that describes the sights and sounds of a train journey on the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe railroad line. The opening verse refers to the sound of the train whistle, which identifies the approaching engine as number 49. The second verse describes the anticipation of the passengers as they wait for the train to arrive, watching the smoke as it appears on the horizon. They know that the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe is a reliable train that will get them to their destination, Brown's Hotel. The chorus encourages everyone to board the train, which is eagerly waiting for them, ready to take them on their journey to warmer climes in California.
The second half of the song picks up the tempo further and describes the excitement of the journey itself. The lyrics describe the train hurtling through the countryside, the driver roaring "Let her rip! Let her rip!" as he speeds on towards California. The passengers eagerly watch the scenery fly by, and the chorus comes back in to remind us that it is all thanks to the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe that they are able to make this journey in such comfort and style.
Overall, the song is a celebration of the pioneering spirit of early American rail travel, with its promises of adventure and opportunity. The Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe route itself ran for nearly 2,300 miles from Chicago to Los Angeles, cutting through some of the most awe-inspiring landscapes in the country. The song captures the excitement of what must have been a truly incredible experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Do ya hear that whistle down the line?
Can you hear the sound of the train's whistle from a distance?
I figure that it's engine number forty nine
I believe that the train approaching is engine number forty nine
She's the only one that'll sound that way
This particular train is the only one that sounds this way
On the Atchison, Topeka and The Santa Fe
On this railway line, the Atchison, Topeka and The Santa Fe
See the old smoke risin' 'round the bend
Witness the smoke from the train as it approaches the bend in the line
I reckon that she knows she's gonna meet a friend
The train seems to know it's going to meet another train on the same line
Folks around these parts get the time of day
People in these areas are familiar with train schedules and timings
From the Atchison, Topeka and The Santa Fe
On the railway line, the Atchison, Topeka and The Santa Fe
Here she comes
The train is arriving
Whoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo
The sound of the train whistle
Hey, Jim you'd better get the ring
Someone named Jim is alerted to prepare for the arrival of the train
She's got a list o' passengers that's pretty big
The train has a large number of passengers on board
And they'll all want lifts to Brown's Hotel
All the passengers will need transportation to Brown's Hotel
'Cause lots o' them been travelin' for quite a spell
Many of the passengers have been traveling for a long time
All aboard, all aboard
Everyone should get on the train, it's about to depart
Let her rip, let her rip, Mr. Engineer
The train driver is requested to start the train
Gotta go, gotta go far away from here
The train has to leave this place and travel far away
While the man at the fire shovels in the coals
The person responsible for the engine is fueling it with coal
Stick your head out the cab and watch the drivers roll
Lean out and watch the wheels of the train as it moves
See the towns and the roads go a whizzing by
The train passes by towns and roads at a rapid pace
Fare thee well Laramie and Albuquerque High
Saying goodbye to the towns of Laramie and Albuquerque High as the train leaves them behind
Yes sir, here we are, going all the way, mustn't quit till we hit California
We're on our way to California and won't stop until we get there
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Harry Warren, Johnny Mercer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@johnpatterson4816
What about "Orange Blossom Special"and "Blue Train" by Johnny Casb??
"I Heard That Lonesome Whistle Blowin'" by Hank Williams??
"Crazy Train"by Ozzy Osbourne??
"The Locomotion" by Little Eva or Grand Funk Railroad"??
"King of the Road"by Roger Miller??
"Take the A Train"by Duke Ellington??
"Blue Train" bu John Coltrane??
"Baby Likes to Rock It Like a Boogie Woogie Choo Choo Train"by The Tractors??
"She Caught the Katy"by The Blues Brothers??
"Choo Choo Ch"Boogie"-by Louis Jordan or Asleep At The Wheel??
"Mama Tried by.Merle Haggard??
"Waitin"For a Train" by Jimmie Rodgers??
@Wolfhoundersful
Do you hear that whistle down the line?
I figure that it's engine number forty-nine
She's the only one that'll sound that way
On the Atchison, Topeka, and the Santa Fe
See the old smoke risin 'round the bend
I reckon that she knows she's gonna meet a friend
Folks around these parts get the time of day
From the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe
Here she comes
Whoo hoo hoo hoo hoo
Hey Jim, you'd better get the rig
Whoo hoo hoo hoo hoo
She's got a list of passengers that's pretty big
And they'll all want lifts to Brown's hotel
'Cause of lots of them been travelin' for quite a spell
All the way from Philadelphia
On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe
(All aboard!) [2x]
(Chuga-chuga-chuga-chuga, woo-woo) [2x]
Let 'er rip, let 'er rip, Mr. Engineer
Gotta go, gotta go far away from here
While the man at the fire shovels on the coal
Stick your head out the cab, watch the drivers roll
See the towns and the roads go a-whizzin' by
Fare thee well Laramie, Albuquerque high
Yesiree, here we are, goin' all the way
(Mustn't quit till we hit California)
(On the Atchison, Topeka, and the Santa Fe) [2x]
(Here she comes, woo-woo)
Hey Jim, you'd better get the rig
(Whoo hoo hoo hoo hoo)
She's got a list of passengers that's pretty big
And they'll all want lifts to Brown's hotel
'Cause of lots of them been travelin' for quite a spell
(All the way from Philadelphia)
On the Atchison, Topeka, and the Santa Fe
@peakybrothers1041
SIGN UP
On The Atchison, Topeka & The Santa Fe
Johnny Mercer
Do you hear that whistle down the line?
I figure that it's engine number forty-nine
She's the only one that'll sound that way
On the Atchison, Topeka, and the Santa Fe
See the old smoke risin 'round the bend
I reckon that she knows she's gonna meet a friend
Folks around these parts get the time of day
From the Atchison, Topeka, and the Santa Fe
Here she comes
Whoo hoo hoo hoo hoo
Hey Jim, you'd better get the rig
Whoo hoo hoo hoo hoo
She's got a list of passengers that's pretty big
And they'll all want lifts to Brown's hotel
'Cause of lots of them been travelin' for quite a spell
All the way from Philadelphia
On the Atchison, Topeka, and the Santa Fe
(All aboard!)
(All aboard!)
(Chuga-chuga-chuga-chuga, woo-woo)
(Chuga-chuga-chuga-chuga, woo-woo)
@CSXtrackworker
As an actual railroad man, this has to be the finest railroad song in my book!!
@PGHammer21A
There is a remixed version from the 1970s - commissioned by and used by ATSF in radio and TV ads; the TV ads even covered ATSF Intermodal - and had duplicate advertising in print media - such as National Geographic Magazine.
@victorwaddell6530
What about Glenn Miller's Chattanooga Choo Choo , Steve Goodman's City of New Orleans , and Gordon Lightfoot's Canadian Railway ?
@Ih8kone
But despite the lyrics the AT&SF never served the east coast.
@trainworldstudio7185
I created a more modern remixed version of this song I think you will definitely like it
https://youtu.be/L1y-ufXT6Lg
@StudebakerHawk57
I was born in '57 but often wish I was born 30 years earlier... and songs like this are the reason why. Thanks for posting this gem, KittyCatInAMicrowave!
@bobsaturday4273
you re very foolish . are you wishing to be dead now ?
@williamfox6144
Johnny Mercer is right up there with the all time greats in the music industry. A writer, arranger and singer. He does it all
@bunkerman99
Agreed and I think he owned Capital Records so an executive as well.
@henrybrowne7248
And I only discovered him so recently . . thanks to You Tube . .