In 1992, she began to perform as a professional rock musician, playing in an all-female cover band called Lois Lane. When she started a band that played original music, Red Onion (Berkner, Brian Mueller, Adam Bernstein and Alan Lerner), she found song-writing to be a struggle--a problem that disappeared when she started writing children's music. "Writing music for kids has not been a struggle at all," Berkner has said. "The more I started working on material for children, the more I realized that it opened up creativity in me that I never knew I had."
She regularly appears on Noggin (with Lampert and Bernstein), a television network aimed at children, in music videos played between programs and on the program Jack's Big Music Show. Berkner has also appeared in Jamarama Live!, a touring music festival for children sponsored by Noggin, and in the 2006 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
In 2004, Berkner and Mueller had a daughter, Lucy, and the Laurie Berkner Band cut back on performing. "Daughter Lucy is her main audience now," her website noted.
I've Been Working On the Railroad
Laurie Berkner Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All the live long day
I've been working on the railroad
Just to pass the time away
Can't you hear the whistle blowing
Rise up so early in the morn
Can't you hear the captain shouting
Dinah, won't you blow, Dinah, won't you blow
Dinah, won't you blow your horn?
Dinah, won't you blow, Dinah, won't you blow
Dinah, won't you blow your horn?
Someone's in the kitchen with Dinah
Someone's in the kitchen I know
Someone's in the kitchen with Dinah
Strumming on the old banjo
And singing
Fee fie fiddle eell o
Fee fie fiddle eell o
Fee fie fiddle eell o
Strumming on the old banjo
And singing
Fee fie fiddle eell o
Fee fie fiddle eell o
Fee fie fiddle eell o
Strumming on the old banjo
The song "I've Been Working On The Railroad" by Laurie Berkner is a classic children's song with a catchy melody and repeated chorus. The lyrics describe the life of a railroad worker who spends his day working hard, just to pass the time away. The song also includes references to the sounds of the railroad, such as the whistle blowing and the captain shouting. The chorus features a call and response section where the listener is invited to join in singing the name Dinah, who is a fellow worker.
The second part of the song introduces a new character, someone who is in the kitchen with Dinah, strumming on an old banjo. The chorus repeats, this time with a new verse that includes the phrase "fee fie fiddle eell o", which is a nonsense phrase that is used in many folk songs. The song ends with several repetitions of the chorus and the verse, creating a rousing and memorable ending.
Overall, the song offers an upbeat and memorable tune that invites children to sing along and join in the fun. It also offers a glimpse into the life of a railroad worker in the past, when railroad travel was an important part of American life.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been working on the railroad
I have been putting in effort and time towards maintaining the railway system
All the live long day
Throughout the entire day, without taking a break, I have been dedicated to my job
Just to pass the time away
I am working to keep myself occupied and to pass the time, rather than for any specific purpose
Can't you hear the whistle blowing
Do you not hear the sound of the train's whistle?
Rise up so early in the morn
The train begins its journey very early in the morning
Can't you hear the captain shouting
Do you not hear the captain giving orders and commands?
Dinah, blow your horn
The captain is instructing Dinah to sound the train horn
Dinah, won't you blow, Dinah, won't you blow
Repetition of the captain's instructions to Dinah to sound the horn
Someone's in the kitchen with Dinah
There is another person present in the kitchen with Dinah
Someone's in the kitchen I know
I am aware that someone is with Dinah in the kitchen
Strumming on the old banjo
The other person is playing music on a banjo
And singing
They are also singing along to the music
Fee fie fiddle eell o
A nonsensical phrase used in the lyrics of the song they are singing
Strumming on the old banjo
Repetition of the fact that the other person is playing the banjo
And singing
Repetition of the fact that the other person is also singing along
Fee fie fiddle eell o
Repetition of the nonsensical phrase in the song lyrics
Lyrics © Phonographic Digital Limited (PDL), HAL LEONARD LLC, Songtrust Ave
Written by: BRISSETTE, TRADITIONAL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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