Seeger's father was Charles Seeger (1886–1979), an important folklorist and musicologist; her mother was Seeger's second wife, Ruth Porter Crawford Ruth Crawford seeger (1901–1953), a modernist composer who was one of the first women to receive a Guggenheim Fellowship. ... (family photo)
One of her brothers is Mike Seeger, and the well-known songwriter Pete Seeger is her half-brother.
One of Peggy Seeger's first recordings was "American Folk Songs for Children" (1955), considered one of her most enduring, and probably the best-selling, collection of children's songs ever recorded.
Together with MacColl, Seeger joined The Critics Group, performing satirical songs in a mixture of theatre, comedy and song. Seeger and MacColl recorded as a duo and as solo artists; MacColl wrote "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" in Seeger's honor.
Freight Train Blues
Peggy Seeger Lyrics
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Freight train, freight train, run so fast
Please don't tell what train I'm on
They won't know what route I'm going
When I'm dead and in my grave
No more good times here I crave
Place the stones at my head and feet
When I die, oh bury me deep
Down at the end of old Chestnut Street
So I can hear old Number Nine
As she comes rolling by
When I die, oh bury me deep
Down at the end of old Chestnut Street
Place the stones at my head and feet
And tell them all I've gone to sleep
Freight train, freight train, run so fast
Freight train, freight train, run so fast
Please don't tell what train I'm on
They won't know what route I'm going
The song begins with the repetition of the title phrase “Freight Train Blues,” which is often heard in traditional folk songs. The lyrics describe an individual in transit, riding on a fast-moving train, but not wanting to disclose which train or route they are on. The individual is seeking anonymity and privacy, perhaps running away from something or simply wishing to remain incognito. The repetition of “Freight Train Blues” and the phrase “run so fast” expresses the urgency and fleeting nature of the traveler’s situation.
In the second half of the song, the mood shifts to the idea of death and the desire for a peaceful rest. The lyrics describe the individual’s wish to be buried near Chestnut Street, where they can hear the train whistle of “Number Nine” as she “comes rolling by." The desire to be buried near the train tracks suggests a deep connection to the journey and the idea that the sound of the train represents an ongoing adventure, even in death. The repetition of the closing phrase “Freight Train Blues” echoes the mournful tone of the song while also connecting the final section to the opening verses.
Line by Line Meaning
Freight train, freight train, run so fast
The train moves very quickly.
Freight train, freight train, run so fast
The train moves very quickly.
Please don't tell what train I'm on
Asks a person not to reveal which train the writer is traveling on, so they won't get found out.
They won't know what route I'm going
Without knowledge of the specific train, it would be difficult to guess the final destination of the writer.
When I'm dead and in my grave
The writer is speaking about a future time when they will no longer be alive.
No more good times here I crave
There are no fun moments to look forward to anymore since life will end soon.
Place the stones at my head and feet
Asks the listener to put rocks at the top and bottom of the grave for a spiritual purpose.
And tell them all I've gone to sleep
The writer wants it to be known that they have passed away.
When I die, oh bury me deep
Requests that the listener bury them far underground.
Down at the end of old Chestnut Street
The specific location of the grave site that the writer prefers.
So I can hear old Number Nine
The writer wants to be close enough to train tracks so they can hear a specific train pass by.
As she comes rolling by
The writer wants to hear the train's noise when it's actually traveling.
Place the stones at my head and feet
The writer repeats their request for rocks to be stacked at the head and foot of the grave.
And tell them all I've gone to sleep
The writer reminds listeners to inform others of their death.
Freight train, freight train, run so fast
The train moves very quickly.
Freight train, freight train, run so fast
The train moves very quickly.
Please don't tell what train I'm on
For a second time, the writer asks someone not to disclose their train information.
They won't know what route I'm going
The writer doesn't want anyone to know where they're ultimately heading.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Elizabeth Cotten
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind