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.
Hard Livin'
Railroad Earth Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Put your hand on me
And I feel it mama
He made a blind man see
Been sleepwalking
An eternity
Whoa yes
I?m working on a new plain
Working on Sunday Morning
Working on being forgiven
For all that hard living
I?ve been steamrolling
Heading for a crash
Cruise controlling
Blowing right on past
Sleepwalking
Put your hand on me
I?m working on a new plain
Working on Sunday morning
Working on being forgiven
For all that hard living
And I?m not the only one
Who been happy to receive
Do you hear them call your name
Carrying a heavy load
When the bullets that protect you
Come raining down on your own head
Your feeling like your almost blind
Carrying a heavy load
Carrying a heavy load
Oh, no
Don?t cry mama
Gonna be ok
So sorry
That it went that way
Like a stray sheep
And then you called on me
I?m working on a new plain
I?m working on a Sunday morning
Working on being forgiven
For all that hard living
Working on a Sunday morning
Working on being forgiven
For all that hard living
I?m working on a new plain
I?m working on a new plain
Feel like I?m being forgiven
For all that hard, hard, hard living
Hard living
The song 'Hard Livin'' by Railroad Earth describes the struggle of a person who has made mistakes and is now seeking redemption. The first verse talks about someone who has the ability to make things come together and bring clarity to a situation. The lyrics suggest that the person has the power to heal and restore faith in others, as he has helped a blind man see. The singer describes himself as someone who has been sleepwalking for an eternity and needs help to wake up. The words 'put your hand on me' indicate a plea for help and guidance.
In the chorus, the singer explains that he is trying to change and become a better person. He is working on a new plain, which suggests that he is taking a new approach to life. However, he acknowledges that it will not be easy; he needs to be forgiven for the hard living he has done, which could mean a life of sin and self-destruction. He describes himself as someone who has been 'steamrolling,' heading towards a crash, and cruise controlling. It sounds like he has been living life recklessly and without direction.
The final verse is a message of hope. The singer tells his mother not to cry, as he is going to be okay. He apologizes for the way he has lived his life and likens himself to a stray sheep that his mother has called back to the fold. The song ends with a repetition of the chorus, indicating that the singer is still working on a new plain and trying to live a better life.
Line by Line Meaning
He made it come together
He brought things together and made it work
Put your hand on me
It's comforting to feel the touch of someone who cares
And I feel it mama
I feel comforted by my mother's presence
He made a blind man see
He helped someone who was blind understand something they couldn't see before
Been sleepwalking
Going through life on autopilot, without really experiencing it
An eternity
It feels like it's been forever
I'm working on a new plain
I'm trying to live life differently
Working on Sunday Morning
I'm working hard to improve myself, even on days when others may be resting
Working on being forgiven
I'm trying to make amends for things I've done wrong
For all that hard living
For all the mistakes I've made in my life
I've been steamrolling
I've been forcing my way through life, without regard for others
Heading for a crash
It's becoming clear that this way of life will have negative consequences
Cruise controlling
I've been complacent, not actively steering my own life
Blowing right on past
I've been ignoring things that I should be paying attention to
And I'm not the only one
I'm not the only person who has made mistakes
Who been happy to receive
Others have been grateful for help they received
Do you hear them call your name
Do you hear the people who need your help?
Carrying a heavy load
Dealing with difficulties that take a toll on a person
When the bullets that protect you
When the things that are supposed to keep you safe end up harming you
Come raining down on your own head
Experiencing bad consequences from your own mistakes
You're feeling like you're almost blind
It's hard to see a way out of a difficult situation
Don't cry mama
Don't be upset, everything will be okay
Gonna be okay
Things will work out in the end
So sorry
I regret my past actions
That it went that way
I wish things had gone differently
Like a stray sheep
Lost and unsure of where to go
And then you called on me
And then someone relied on me for help
Feel like I'm being forgiven
I'm starting to believe that I can be forgiven for my past mistakes
For all that hard, hard, hard living
For all the tough times I've experienced due to my own actions
Hard living
Living a difficult life due to one's own choices
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: David Halley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Max Himbigger
Great song for road tripping
Kurt lees
Awesome
John Cook
🙌🏻 ✝️ 🙌🏻