The band members, already accomplished musicians, first came together in early 2001. Originally comprised of guitarist/vocalist Todd Sheaffer, violinist/vocalist Tim Carbone, mandolinist/vocalist John Skehan, multi-instrumentalist/vocalist Andy Goessling, drummer/vocalist Carey Harmon, and bassist ]Dave Von Dollen, the group played both original compositions mostly written by Sheaffer, the former From Good Homes songwriter, as well as traditional songs. After just three weeks of rehearsals, they went into a local recording studio and tracked a five song demo. Recorded live with no overdubs except backing vocals, The Black Bear Sessions set Railroad Earth's career in motion. Within a week they had a manager on board who then sent their demo out to some of the country’s most prestigious festivals, quickly landing a slot at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival. That was their tenth gig. The Black Bear Sessions was released to the public in June 2001, and following their appearance at Telluride Sugar Hill Records approached the band and offered them a record deal. The Black Bear Sessions contains some of the most popular songs in Railroad Earth's repertoire, including "Seven Story Mountain" and "Head."
In June 2002, one year from the release of their debut, Railroad Earth’s second album, Bird in a House, came out on Sugar Hill Records, featuring songs such as "Bird In A House," "Like A Buddha," and "Mighty River.". The band continued its steady touring schedule, playing theatres, folk-music festivals, jam-band festivals, and other venues, while gathering much praise for its unique sound and enjoyable live concerts. The band eventually built up a fanbase who call themselves Hobos.
In 2003 Dave Von Dollen was replaced by bassist Johnny Grubb. In 2004 the band released its third studio effort, The Good Life, featuring "Storms," Mourning Flies," and "Goat." The band continued to tour throughout the country, and its first live album, Elko, was issued in late January 2006. They performed at the Austin City Limits Music Festival on September 15, 2007.
The band's fourth studio album, entitled Amen Corner, was released on June 10, 2008. The new album features songs such as "Been Down This Road," "Hard Livin'," "Waggin' The Dog," and "Lovin' You".
On November 11, 2009, Grubb announced his departure from the band after Railroad Earth's New Year's Eve run of shows in Portland, OR. In February 2010, Andrew Altman of the Codetalkers and Blueground Undergrass was named as his successor.
The band's self-titled fifth album was released on Oct 12, 2010. The album features Andy Goessling playing electric guitar for the first time, plus an 11-minute instrumental written by John Skehan entitled "Spring-Heeled Jack" (SHJ is John Skehan's initials backwards); the latter is the longest studio track to date for the band.
Andy Goessling passed away in October 2018.
Chasin' A Rainbow
Railroad Earth Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Looked out the shelter on the thunder and the rain
Storm passed over and the sun shown down
And the colors showed the way
Just chasin' a rainbow
Ain't no good reason why
Just chasin' a rainbow
Far across the sky
Well the track got muddy and the wheels bogged down
Lost a lot of good men, they wandered into town
Track got rocky on a hard luck mile
Lonely as the day is long
Just chasin' a rainbow
Far across the sky
Just chasin' a rainbow
Ain't no good reason why
Sometimes it seems like a lo-o-ong time ago
Like a long time ago
Sometimes it seems like a lo-o-ng time ago
Sometimes it feels like a li.i.ifetime
Well, there's a big rain comin', you can smell it in the air
Wind kickin' up, birds flying everywhere
Take to the meadow ‘til the air comes clear and the colors show the way
There's a new day comin' on down the line
A lost friend tryin' to set aside
Is it all just chance any way you go,
Or a message in the mystery?
Just chasin' a rainbow
Far across the sky
Just chasin' a rainbow
Ain't no good reason why
The song "Chasin' A Rainbow" by Railroad Earth speaks of a journey, one that is steeped with uncertainty, difficulty and pain, all in the quest of happiness. The lyrics describe a narrator who is running and hustling from his past, as he seeks after this elusive rainbow, the colors of which light up his path in life. We can see that the journey is not without its losses and its struggles, however, the singer perseveres, holding up hope and faith that he will find his happiness soon. The imagery throughout speaks of trains, tracks and roads, all of which could be seen as metaphors for the journey of life, and the various paths we choose to take to get there.
In the chorus, we see the theme of the song repeated, as the singer talks about chasing this rainbow far across the sky, for no good reason at all. The final stanza suggests that the quest is not over yet, as there is still more to come in life. Here, the singer speaks of a new day coming, and of a lost friend trying to set aside their differences, as they both try to find their way in life. The last two lines of the song turn the song into a question, asking whether it is all just a matter of chance, or if there is some sort of message in the mystery behind the journey of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I ran and I hustled, from the road I came
I worked hard and tried to make something of myself, despite my humble beginnings on the road.
Looked out the shelter on the thunder and the rain
Took refuge and observed the storms of life.
Storm passed over and the sun shown down
The trials eventually ended, and happiness came.
And the colors showed the way
Life's beauty revealed the correct path.
Just chasin' a rainbow
Pursuing a goal that may not be attainable.
Ain't no good reason why
There may not be a logical explanation or justification for the pursuit.
Well the track got muddy and the wheels bogged down
Obstacles made it difficult to progress.
Lost a lot of good men, they wandered into town
Many have fallen by the wayside or given up on the journey.
Track got rocky on a hard luck mile
The journey became rough and the end seemed far away.
Lonely as the day is long
Feeling alone and isolated.
Just chasin' a rainbow
Continuing to pursue something that may not be achievable.
Far across the sky
The goal is distant and unattainable.
Sometimes it seems like a lo-o-ong time ago
Reflecting on how much time has passed since starting the journey.
Like a long time ago
The memories of the journey seem distant and faded.
Sometimes it seems like a lo-o-ng time ago
Reiterating how long ago the journey began.
Sometimes it feels like a li.i.ifetime
The journey feels like it has lasted an incredibly long time.
Well, there's a big rain comin', you can smell it in the air
There is trouble ahead, and it is becoming evident.
Wind kickin' up, birds flying everywhere
The environment is changing and becoming turbulent.
Take to the meadow ‘til the air comes clear and the colors show the way
Retreat to safety until the path forward becomes clear through the beauty of life.
There's a new day comin' on down the line
Hope for a better future.
A lost friend tryin' to set aside
Trying to move on from the pain of losing someone close.
Is it all just chance any way you go,
Wondering if life's path is predetermined, or if it's all luck.
Or a message in the mystery?
Questioning whether there is a larger purpose or meaning to the journey.
Contributed by Riley O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
DEADHEAD712
I am here because of a great band. Go see them live. They are incredible.
Cathy Graham
Seen the 2x and absolutely love them!!!! Amazing band
Ya Boi Max
Props to my uncle Todd for yet another great song
White Pony
Your so lucky he’s your uncle ❤
SM Asheville
The imagery can be interpreted on so many different levels, all of them positive and life-affirming. Brilliant cinematography.
Power to Truth
Really? I see them mocking coal miners. Or am I missing something.
Jason Carey
Love the juxtaposition of the visual image. Not what I had imagined but helped me to hear the song in a new light, so to speak. Really enjoy your work as a musical organization.
Mena Paulson
Beautiful. It has left me smiling
Everybodys Sister
@railroad earth (Lol. So in conclusion, we all have to work, we all have dreams and would rather be elsewhere as our inner child recognizes.) Great song!
Layna
AMELIAAAA!!!💖💖💖