Born in Kirksville, Missouri and nicknamed "Rusty" for his red hair, he began performing on his uncle's radio show in Tulsa, Oklahoma in the mid 1930s. Draper moved on to work at radio stations in Des Moines, Iowa—sometimes filling in for sports announcer Ronald Reagan—and in Illinois before settling in California. There he began to sing in local clubs, becoming resident singer at the Rumpus Room in San Francisco. By the early 1950s he had begun appearing on national TV shows including The Ed Sullivan Show (CBS) and Ozark Jubilee (ABC).
In 1952, Draper signed to Mercury Records and issued his debut single, "How Could You (Blue Eyes)". The following year, after a national club tour, his cover version of Jim Lowe's "Gambler's Guitar” made #6 on both the country and pop charts, and sold a million copies, and was awarded a gold disc.[1] After a series of less successful follow-ups, he made the national charts again in 1955 with "Seventeen" (#18), "The Shifting, Whispering Sands" (#3) and "Are You Satisfied?" (#11), becoming one of the biggest pop and country crossover stars of the period.
In 1956, he returned to the top 20 with "In The Middle Of The House" (#20), followed up by his version of Chas McDevitt’s UK skiffle hit "Freight Train" (#3) Draper also reached the UK Singles Chart with a rendition of "Muleskinner Blues."
In 1962, he left Mercury to sign with Monument Records, with diminishing chart success as his style became more old-fashioned. However, he continued to have minor hits in the country charts through the 1960s. He remained a steady concert draw in years to follow, and also appeared in stage musicals and on television. Draper died in Bellevue, Washington at the age of 80.
Freight Train
Rusty Draper Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Freight train, freight train, goin so fast
I don't know what train he's on
Won't you tell me where he's gone
Don't know where he's headin for
What he's done against the law
Got no future, got no hope
Freight train, freight train, goin so fast
Freight train, freight train, goin so fast
I don't know what train he's on
Won't you tell me where he's gone
He lost his reason, lost his life
He killed his friend in mortal strife
He must have moved like the golden skies
Just a-waitin til he dies
Freight train, freight train, goin so fast
Freight train, freight train, goin so fast
I don't know what train he's on
Won't you tell me where he's gone
When he dies, just bury him please
Way down the end of old Chestnut Street
Poplars at his head and feet
And tell them he's gone to sleep
Freight train, freight train, goin so fast
Freight train, freight train, goin so fast
I don't know what train he's on
Won't you tell me where he's gone
The song "Freight Train" by Rusty Draper tells the story of a man who has lost everything and is now running from his troubles by riding the freight train. The repeating line "Freight train, freight train, goin so fast" creates a feeling of urgency and desperation, emphasizing the man's need to escape. The singer of the song is unsure of where the man is headed, but is asking for someone to tell him so he can pass the information along.
As the song continues, it becomes clear that the man on the train is running from the law. The lyrics "What he's done against the law" and "Just nothin but the rope" suggest that the man is facing punishment for his actions. The singer also says that the man has "lost his reason, lost his life" and "killed his friend in mortal strife," revealing the tragic circumstances that led him to this point.
The song ends with the singer requesting that the man be buried at the end of Chestnut Street, surrounded by poplars, and told that he's gone to sleep. This final verse shows a hint of sympathy for the man, despite his wrongdoings, and a desire for him to find peace in the end.
Overall, "Freight Train" is a haunting and melancholic song that tells a story of desperation and tragedy.
Line by Line Meaning
Freight train, freight train, goin so fast
The train is moving quickly and represents a person's life moving quickly towards an unknown destination.
I don't know what train he's on
The person singing doesn't really know what the future holds for the subject of the song or what choices they are making.
Won't you tell me where he's gone
The singer is asking for someone to inform them of the subject's whereabouts and where their choices have led them.
Don't know where he's headin for
The person singing doesn't know what the subject of the song is aiming for or what they are trying to achieve with their life.
What he's done against the law
The subject of the song has done something illegal or immoral in their past.
Got no future, got no hope
The subject of the song is hopeless and feels like they have nowhere to go in life and no prospects for the future.
Just nothin but the rope
The subject of the song feels trapped and has no escape from their situation.
He lost his reason, lost his life
The subject of the song has lost their sense of purpose and direction in life, and their existence is now devoid of meaning.
He killed his friend in mortal strife
The subject of the song has committed an act of violence against someone they once cared about deeply, resulting in their death.
He must have moved like the golden skies
Despite his actions, the subject of the song was once filled with promise, like the beauty evident as the sun sets but now that is extinguished.
Just a-waitin til he dies
The subject of the song is simply waiting for his life to end, as he feels there is nothing left to live for.
When he dies, just bury him please
The singer is requesting that when the subject of the song passes away, they are given a proper burial.
Way down the end of old Chestnut Street
The subject is to be buried in a specific location, the end of Chestnut Street.
Poplars at his head and feet
The request is made to have trees planted at the head and feet of the grave.
And tell them he's gone to sleep
The singer asks that the person inform others that the subject of the song has passed away.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: FRED WILLIAMS, PAUL JAMES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
patrick ryan
This version adds a sort of extended 'plaintiveness' to the song despite the lyrics differing from Elizabeth Cotten's originally written version. It actually gives the song more soul. Beautifully performed. 1/2018
sauquoit13456
On this day in 1957 {November 20th} Rusty Draper performed "Freight Train" on the late Dick Clark's 'American Bandstand'... Six months earlier on May 20th it entered Billboard's Top 100 chart; eventually it peaked at #6 and spent 18 weeks on the Top 100... Also in 1957 Chas. McDeviit's Skiffle Group featuring Nancy Whiskey released their version of the song; it reached #40 on the Top 100 and #5 on the United Kingdom's Singles chart... R.I.P. Mr. Draper {1923 - 2003} and Mr. Clark {1929 - 2012}
Chandra Garsson
Elizabeth Cotton wrote the song, and played it beautifully into her nineties.
James George Coke
I was 9 years old when I first heard this on radio. Still a great song !!!!
Debra Zacher
This is the version I was raised on hearing. Until I became older is when I learned this is an Elizabeth Cotton's song, only her verses are a bit different. The words in this version fits me more. Always loved to sing this when in a certain mood.
andy hughes
I remember listening to this record on the radio when i was a wee boy. I`m now 68 years old.
Ken Roche
While its been around so long, I don't recall having heard this version before - quite impressive. Thanks for the upload.
John Cliff
Great to get this come up. I was watching a video re a record model rail and this was used for the background music. Some other comments to the music must have been way off has they never mentioned "Freight Train". I Have not heard the tune for some years but remembered it from being a kid. I am now 74.
rob steven
Great song;but sadly,none of these hit versions credited the real composer i.e.Elizabeth Cotton.However,she did manage to collect something from McDevitt/Whiskey,I believe.So much of this went on.EC wrote this at the turn of the century,and performed it for decades.
tom kent
The song was never registered by Cotten, who claims to have written it around 1915. It is now considered to be in the public domain.