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.
Lone Croft Farewell
Railroad Earth Lyrics
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the winds of change are blowin' through the place that i've called home they're diggin' at the edges . . to build the power line
same old story . . but now the story's mine
so build a fire & throw in . . the papers & the past
no need to try & save it now . . it's never gonna last
it's a starry night . . the moon is bright . . let's call the old owl in
let him know we're leavin' . . say goodbye old friend
goodbye to the years here, they have flown
the wheels of the world are rollin' thru
& if this door is closing' . . i guess I'm rollin' too
for 14 years my family . . walked these crooked floors
40 years before my father opened up the doors
a stony stand . . it all began 300 years before
what story is beginning? if this one is no more?
goodbye to the years here, they have flown
goodbye to the only home i've known
the wheels of the world are movin on'
& if this door is closing' . . i guess it's time i'm gone
feels like a wave that can't be stopped
a coming day . . my heart will drop
feels like a war that won't be won
. . without a gun
so goodbye bird & bear
goodbye tree & land
goodbye to all i know like knowin'
the back of my hand
i'll walk the grounds & make the rounds
of this place i've loved so well
fire up the diesel . .
bid a last lone croft farewell
goodbye to the years here, they have flown
goodbye to the only home i've known
the wheels of the world are rollin' thru
& if this door is closing' . . i guess i'm rollin' too
The song "Lone Croft Farewell" by Railroad Earth speaks to the heartache and sadness of leaving behind a home and a way of life. The opening lines describe the decay of the meadow and the overgrown fields, suggesting that the place that this narrator calls home is no longer what it used to be. The winds of change are blowing, and the singer is realizing that they cannot stop the inevitable.
The singer watches as the power company digs at the edges of their land to build a power line. They are resigned to this familiar story, but now they accept that it is their story too. The fire becomes a symbol of letting go of the past as they throw in their papers and accept that it is "never gonna last."
This song is about the pain of leaving behind a place that has been loved for generations. The singer reflects on the fact that their family has been living in this place for 14 years, but their father had opened up the doors 40 years before. They reflect on the 300 years of history that this place holds and how insignificant their time there seems to be. The song ends with the singer walking the grounds and bidding a last farewell to the place they have loved so well.
Overall, the song explores the theme of transience and the inevitability of change. It deals with the sadness of leaving behind a place that has been home and the realization that we cannot hold onto anything forever.
Line by Line Meaning
The stakes are in the meadow . . the fields are overgrown
The property is not being taken care of, and nature has started to take over.
The winds of change are blowin' through the place that I've called home
Change is coming and affecting the place where I live.
They're diggin' at the edges . . to build the power line
Construction is happening near my home to build infrastructure for electricity.
Same old story . . but now the story's mine
Though this has happened before, this time it is happening to me specifically and I have to deal with it.
So build a fire & throw in . . the papers & the past
Let go of any documents or memories that tie you to the past, and move on from it.
No need to try & save it now . . it's never gonna last
There's no point in trying to save what is inevitably going to end.
It's a starry night . . the moon is bright . . let's call the old owl in
It's a peaceful and quiet night, and we want to share that with nature.
Let him know we’re leavin' . . say goodbye old friend
We want to say goodbye to nature and the animals that have been our friends and companions.
Goodbye to the years here, they have flown
We are saying goodbye to the time we have spent in this home that is no longer ours.
Goodbye to the only home I've known
We are saying goodbye to the only home we have lived in and grown attached to.
The wheels of the world are rollin' through
The world is always turning and things will keep changing whether we like it or not.
& if this door is closing' . . I guess I'm rollin' too
If this chapter of our lives is ending, we have to move on to the next one.
For 14 years my family . . walked these crooked floors
My family has lived in this home for 14 years and knows it well.
40 years before my father opened up the doors
My father has lived here even longer than I have, and opened up this home to us.
A stony stand . . it all began 300 years before
The history of this land goes back 300 years with a strong foundation.
What story is beginning? if this one is no more?
If this chapter of my family's story is coming to an end, what will the next one be like?
Feels like a wave that can't be stopped
The current of change feels like a force that we cannot control.
A coming day . . my heart will drop
In the future, there will be a day where the reality of leaving this home will hit me hard.
Feels like a war that won't be won . . without a gun
This situation feels like a battle that we cannot win, without any real solution.
So goodbye bird & bear . . Goodbye tree & land
We are saying goodbye to nature that we have lived among for all these years.
Goodbye to all I know like knowin' the back of my hand
We are saying goodbye to the comfort of familiarity and knowing everything about our home.
I'll walk the grounds & make the rounds of this place I've loved so well
We want to take one last walk around this home that we cherish so much.
Fire up the diesel . . bid a last lone croft farewell
We are leaving this home for the last time and saying farewell to it.
The wheels of the world are rollin' through
The world will keep moving forward, whether we are ready or not.
& if this door is closing' . . I guess I'm rollin' too
We have to move forward too and start the next chapter of our lives, even if it is difficult.
Writer(s): Todd A. Sheaffer
Contributed by Sydney R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.