Sweet Honey in the Rock was founded in 1973 by Bernice Johnson Reagon who formed the group out of the strongest singers from a vocal workshop she was teaching with the D.C. Black Repertory Company. The name of the group comes from a religious parable that tells of a land so rich that when rocks were cracked open, honey flowed from them.
The music of Sweet Honey in the Rock challenges its listeners with songs on topics including motherhood, spirituality, freedom, civil liberties, domestic violence, and racism.
Over the years, more than twenty individuals have lent their voices to Sweet Honey in the Rock. Beginning as a quartet, Sweet Honey in the Rock is now comprised of six African American women (including a professional American Sign Language interpreter who accompanies the group on concert tours). The ensemble tackles difficult five-part harmonies and composes much of their own music.
Sweet Honey in the Rock has received several Grammy Award nominations, including one for their children's album Still the Same Me which received the Silver Award from the National Association of Parenting Publications. They won a Grammy in 1989 in the category of Best Traditional Folk Recording for their version of Leadbelly's "Grey Goose" from the compilation album Folkways: A Vision Shared.
Little Red Caboose
Sweet Honey In The Rock Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Little red caboose chug, chug, chug
Little red caboose behind the train
Smoke stack on its
Back, back, back, back
Coming down the
Track, track, track, track
Little red caboose behind the train
Racin' round the bend, bend, bend, bend
Little red caboose behind the train
It's my favorite car, car, car, car
Traveling so far, far, far, far
Little red caboose behind the train
When you o toot, toot, toot, toot
You look so cute, cute, cute, cute
Little red caboose behind the train
When you go toot, toot, toot, toot
You look so cute, cute, cute, cute
Little red caboose behind the train
Speeding by so fast, fast, fast, fast
Always the last, last, last, last
Little red caboose behind the train
Flying down the line, line, line, line
Always on time, time, time, time
Little red caboose behind the train
Never runnin' late, late, late, late
Comin' to my state, state, state, state
Little red caboose behind the train
All the kids come running down
To see the greatest train in town
Come and ride the red caboose
Repeat first two verses,
The second one twice
The song "Little Red Caboose" by Sweet Honey In The Rock is a classic children's tune celebrating the particular charm and importance of the last car on a train - the little red caboose. The song is a lively and upbeat celebration of this often overlooked yet vital part of a train. The lyrics immediately establish the energetic rhythm of the song, with the repeated "chug, chug, chug" mimicking the sound of a train in motion. The focus on the little red caboose is clear from the beginning, with the lyrics describing its distinctive features - the smoke stack on its back and its position at the end of the train.
The affection for the caboose is evident throughout the song, with the singer declaring it their favourite car, travelling far and always on time. The repetition of the line "when you go toot, toot, toot, toot, you look cute, cute, cute, cute" emphasizes the playful nature of the song and the appeal of the little red caboose to children. The repeated use of the word "fast" and "line" in the latter parts of the song convey a sense of speed and urgency, suggesting that the little red caboose may not always be behind the train but when it is, it's a thrilling ride.
Overall, "Little Red Caboose" is a fun and upbeat song celebrating the under-appreciated hero of the train track. The simple yet catchy lyrics and upbeat melody make for a memorable children's tune.
Line by Line Meaning
Little red caboose chug, chug, chug
The little red train car is moving steadily and consistently with a chugging sound.
Little red caboose behind the train
The small red train car is positioned at the end of the larger train.
Smoke stack on its back, back, back, back
The caboose has a smokestack on its roof, sitting towards the end of the car.
Coming down the track, track, track, track
The train is continuing down the track towards a destination.
Last car on the end, end, end, end
The caboose is located at the very end of the train.
Racin' round the bend, bend, bend, bend
The car is carrying along tightly curved railway tracks.
It's my favorite car, car, car, car
The singer loves the red caboose more than any other train car.
Traveling so far, far, far, far
The little car has journeyed a long distance from its starting point.
When you o toot, toot, toot, toot
The sound from the train's horn is heard as "toot, toot, toot, toot".
You look so cute, cute, cute, cute
The artist finds the train charming and endearing.
Speeding by so fast, fast, fast, fast
The train car is traveling very quickly past the observer.
Always the last, last, last, last
The caboose is always located at the back of the train.
Flying down the line, line, line, line
The train car is quickly moving along the train tracks.
Always on time, time, time, time
The train car is keeping pace with the rest of the train and arriving at its destinations punctually.
Never runnin' late, late, late, late
The caboose is always on schedule and never delayed.
Comin' to my state, state, state, state
The train and its caboose is arriving in the artist's state.
All the kids come running down
Children are excitedly rushing to see the train.
To see the greatest train in town
The kids are hoping to observe the impressive and beloved train as it passes by.
Come and ride the red caboose
The singer invites others to take a ride on the charming red train car.
Repeat first two verses,
The first two verses of the song are repeated again.
The second one twice
The second verse is repeated twice more.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: DURAL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jovan White
Thank you for uploading these. I’m 39 years old and haven’t heard these songs since I was a small child and my mother would check out this cassette tape for me from the library. I would listen to them on repeat for hours. 😊😊
Jeanne Flaherty
Kevin Flaherty: AFTER Jelly man Kelly BEFORE This old man.