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.
The Jupiter & the 119
Railroad Earth Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everybody ready for the great cross country run
Tell me have you heard the story goin' down the wire ... goin' down the line?
She's ready to be going … breathing smoke & steam
She edges on the iron and the crowd begins to scream
Tell me have you heard the story of the Jupiter … and the 119?
Goes flying round the corner moving strong and moving fast
Tell me have you heard the story goin' down the wire ... goin' down the line?
Tell me have you heard the story of the Jupiter … and the 119?
The Jupiter is on the run … heading for the setting sun
And when she rests, the east and west are tied
Wooooo … wooooo
Off from California … from the Sacramento yard
The 119 is moving … pushing strong and pushing hard
She's through the snowy mountains … took them right in stride
Crested the sierra & went down the other side
Tell me have you heard the story going down the wire ... going down the line?
Across the grassed horizon … across the giant plain
Across a thousand miles of iron roars the mighty U.P. train
She tops the Sherman summit … a mighty feat of man
Sails through echo canyon and across the dale creek span
Tell me have you heard the story going down the wire ... going down the line?
Through the fiery desert … the 119 has run
Through the devil's gorge … beneath the blazing fiery sun
Through tunnels and through canyons cleared by shovel & by pick
10, 000 men who blasted, clawed and hauled with muscles thick
Tell me have you heard the story going down the wire ... going down the line?
Tell me have you heard the story of the Jupiter … and the 119?
The Jupiter is on the run … heading for the setting sun
And when she rests, the east and west are tied
Wooooo … wooooo … woo … woo … wooooo
They've met in promontory … from the east and west they're here
All across the country they've raised a mighty cheer
The mighty trains are polished … on the tracks they proudly rest
The crowd's all gathered round them dressed up in their Sunday best
A big brass band is playing … it's a bright unclouded day
The speaker's oratory … and the bosses have their say
The reverend says a prayer … it's mercifully short
The drunken rail-men laugh and the iron horses snort
The engines move in closer… they ease in down the line
The champagne bottles pop … so fill your glass it's toasting time
The engines ease for meeting … nose to nose alike
They raise the silver hammer and they nail the golden spike
Tell me have you heard the story going down the wire ... going down the line?
Tell me have you heard the story of the Jupiter … and the 119?
Wooooo … wooooo … wooooo … wooooo
The song "The Jupiter & the 119" by Railroad Earth is a folk rock tribute to the historic locomotives that drove the American expansion. The lyrics describe the journey of two trains: The Jupiter and the 119, during the construction of the first transcontinental railroad in 1869. The Jupiter is on a cross country run, gleaming and shining in the sun, breathing smoke and steam. The lyrics capture the excitement of the crowds as the trains pass by, including the firing of cannons, whistle blasts and cheers from the crowd. The song also speaks to the physical feat of building a railroad through mountains, deserts, and canyons, referencing the thousands of workers who blasted, clawed, and hauled to make it happen.
The final verses describe the momentous meeting of the Jupiter and the 119 at Promontory Summit, Utah, where the two locomotives were brought together to complete the first transcontinental railroad. The song describes the festivities of the occasion, including a big brass band, speeches, prayers, and champagne toasts. It culminates with the two locomotives easing in nose to nose, raising the silver hammer and nailing the golden spike that marked the completion of the railroad.
Overall, the lyrics of "The Jupiter & the 119" are a celebration of the pioneering spirit and the accomplishment of building the first transcontinental railroad in America.
Line by Line Meaning
The Jupiter is gleaming … shining in the sun
The Jupiter train is brightly reflecting the light of the sun.
Everybody ready for the great cross country run
Everyone is prepared for the long journey across the country.
Tell me have you heard the story goin' down the wire ... goin' down the line?
Have you heard the tale that is being transmitted along the telegraph wire and the railroad track?
She's ready to be going … breathing smoke & steam
The train is revving up its engines and releasing smoke and steam as it prepares to depart.
She edges on the iron and the crowd begins to scream
As the train inches forward on the rails, the audience cheers with excitement.
Tell me have you heard the story of the Jupiter … and the 119?
Have you heard the legend of the Jupiter and the 119 trains?
They fire off the cannons … she blows a whistle blast
The train's engines roar as fireworks and the whistle signal the start of the journey.
Goes flying round the corner moving strong and moving fast
The train quickly turns a bend, picking up speed as it sets out on its path.
The Jupiter is on the run … heading for the setting sun
The Jupiter train is moving quickly towards the sunset.
And when she rests, the east and west are tied
When the train reaches its destination, it will connect the East Coast to the West Coast by rail transport.
Off from California … from the Sacramento yard
The 119 train begins its journey from the Sacramento yard in California.
The 119 is moving … pushing strong and pushing hard
The powerful 119 train is moving quickly and steadily along the tracks.
She's through the snowy mountains … took them right in stride
The 119 train effortlessly traveled through the mountains, overcoming any obstacles in its path.
Crested the sierra & went down the other side
The train traveled over the top of the Sierra Nevada mountain range and descended the other side.
Across the grassed horizon … across the giant plain
The train moves across a vast, open landscape.
Across a thousand miles of iron roars the mighty U.P. train
The Union Pacific train roars across a thousand miles of sturdy iron tracks.
She tops the Sherman summit … a mighty feat of man
The train reaches the top of the difficult Sherman Summit, which was a great accomplishment by those who built the railway.
Sails through echo canyon and across the dale creek span
The train easily glides through the Echo Canyon and crosses over the Dale Creek bridge.
Through the fiery desert … the 119 has run
The 119 train moves through the scorching hot desert terrain.
Through the devil's gorge … beneath the blazing fiery sun
The train travels through a narrow gorge that is hot and fiery due to the intense sun.
Through tunnels and through canyons cleared by shovel & by pick
The train passes through tunnels and canyons that were dug and cleared by hand using shovels and picks.
10, 000 men who blasted, clawed and hauled with muscles thick
Ten thousand strong men worked hard and tirelessly to clear a path for the train using dynamite, grappling hooks, and their own physical strength.
They've met in promontory … from the east and west they're here
The two trains meet in Promontory, Utah where the East and West sections of the country are connected by rail.
All across the country they've raised a mighty cheer
The nation rejoices as the two trains symbolize national unity and progress.
The engines move in closer… they ease in down the line
The two trains move closer and align on the tracks.
The champagne bottles pop … so fill your glass it's toasting time
The celebratory mood is in full swing as champagne bottles are opened and glasses are raised in honor of the successful railway connection.
The engines ease for meeting … nose to nose alike
The two trains approach each other and meet, with their noses aligned.
They raise the silver hammer and they nail the golden spike
The momentous occasion is marked by the driving of a silver hammer into a golden spike.
Wooooo … wooooo … wooooo … wooooo
The distinct whistle sound of the railway engines is heard as they celebrate their successful journey.
Writer(s): Todd A. Sheaffer
Contributed by Zachary J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@brettbrennan518
What an awesome song and band. These guys fire me up.
@jackieslight3651
They really get inside me also. Make my want to grab up my people and dance. The violin really moves me. They are awesome. I have been to the halloween festival in placerville
@SakarbalTheMad
Railroad Earth is awesome. Saw them at the National in Richmond 2/6/14
@joshuasudduth1364
I was at that one too.
@STLSF
Who else will be listening to this during the 150th this Friday?
@titaniumspike1779
The 119 didn't come from Sacramento...
@mamaclack5664
David Raley it was launched from sac.....relocated from the east coast.