Willie Nelson - City Of New Orleans Lyrics






Ridin' on the City of New Orleans Illinois Central Monday morning rail
Fifteen cars and fifteen restless riders
Three conductors and twenty-five sacks of mail
All along the southbound odyssey the train pulls out of Kankakee
And rolls along past houses farms and fields
Passing trains that have no name and freight yards full of old black men
And the graveyards of the rusted automobiles

Good morning, America. How are you?
Say, don't you know me? I'm your native son
I'm the train they call the City of New Orleans
And I'll be gone five hundred miles when the day is done

Dealin' cards with the old men in the club car
Penny a point, ain't no one keepin' score
Pass the paper bag that holds the bottle
And feel the wheels rumbling 'neath the floor
And the sons of Pullman porters and the sons of engineers
Ride their fathers' magic carpet made of steel
Mothers with their babes asleep rockin' to the gentle beat
And the rhythm of the rails is all they feel

Good morning, America. How are you?
Say, don't you know me? I'm your native son
I'm the train they call the City of New Orleans
And I'll be gone five hundred miles when the day is done

Night time on the City of New Orleans changing cars in Memphis Tennessee
Halfway home we'll be there by morning
Through the Mississippi darkness rolling down to the sea
And all the towns and people seem to fade into a bad dream
And the steel rails still ain't heard the news
The conductor sings his songs again the passengers will please refrain
This train has got the disappearing railroad blues

Good morning, America. How are you?
Say, don't you know me? I'm your native son
I'm the train they call the City of New Orleans
I'll be gone five hundred miles when the day is done





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Willie Nelson City Of New Orleans Comments
  1. S.... t....

    While I prefer Willies' version, I do wish he had kept it as "Good *Night* America How are ya", in the last verse. Just hits home more.

  2. A.... ....

    I like when he sings this song the best. I mean, he sings this song the best IMO

  3. R.... A....

    A wonderful song!

  4. J.... M....

    Someone just posted, I will be your Santa Tonight! Do you mean you will be like Santa and leave my presence? ( presents).

  5. T.... W....

    My hill family is rale roaders so I can say nothing about rail roads

  6. C.... S....

    Love Willie, New Orleans and trains. What a good combination!

  7. D.... R....

    Love Willie Nelson but arlo guthrie's version is much better.

    D.... R....

    Nelson's celebrates a certain few merits of the original. Covers often aim to do this. Check out the peculiarity of Fine Young Cannibals' Suspicious Minds (1985) conforming to the letter to the original by Elvis(1969) . . .spooky. It says something.

    D.... R....

    Actually widespread panic does a very good version of this....

  8. P.... D....

    Conocí la música de Willie en Radio Torrejón 100.2 FM hace mas de 36 años.
    Me convirtió al Country...

  9. J.... J....

    Anyone who hasn't taken a train trip should. Trains are magical. They show people just how big America, or any country can be. The places roads can't go are breathtaking. This was one of my dad's favorite songs because he used to work for the railroads. For anyone who hasn't, take a trip on Amtrak. It's worth the experience, and it supports those who have a passion for the rails.

  10. c.... ....

    One of my very favorite Willie Nelson songs. Rode those rails @ 1996.

  11. L.... ....

    Sad that Willie went liberal. Is this what country has come to? That Willie was a rebel, what would Waylon Merle and George say about him today?

  12. S.... ....

    This is magical. I totally transport to the songs story.

  13. L.... P....

    Great song!!

  14. N.... G....

    Grandma profeta I love ya thank you introducing me to willie

  15. A.... R....

    I am not from Memphis , Tennessee either !

  16. W.... ....

    Im very fond of this song

  17. E.... H....

    Original by Woody Guthrie I believe but Willie does it up right

  18. C.... M....

    just love this track, and no pun intended.

  19. m.... ....

    A #1 hit for Willie Nelson on the Country & Western charts. It was the 727th #1 C&W song of the Rock Era. We prepare to say goodbye to 1984 and prepare to welcome in 1985. What will the C&W scene be like in the new year? Stay tuned.

  20. C.... W....

    Preflood

  21. b.... ....

    what a great reflection on our changing culture. Still Amtrak will take you from Chicago to Naw'leans if your nostalgic for this train ride. Think Im gonna look for the old graveyards along the way......

  22. Y.... ....

    I first came to love taking the train when a young farm boy in North Carolina taking the "Silver Meteor" to NYC to see my baseball heroes in Yankee pinstripes play in the late 50s to the late 60s.

    This song always takes me back to those days and reminds me why I still love to take the trains instead of planes. thank you Steve Goodman for writing it and thanks to Arlo and Willie for recording it.

  23. J.... C....

    Wow...just wow.

  24. M.... V....

    I heard this from a musician on the Santa Paula railroad train in 2003!!!!!

  25. L.... K....

    Check a song called "hyvää huomenta Suomi"

  26. L.... P....

    Grate song

  27. K.... B....

    @Caelan Reeves
    My Great Granddad Arthur Ross worked the railroad and laid those tracks in winter after cotton harvest on the farm.
    5 generations from Arkansas to Florida to Texas and alot of miles inbetween. This song always reminds me of the Pilgramage and Louisiana Purchase.
    When I met my biological dad in 1998 I was 35 years old. He was an Entertainer and said he had previously worked with Willie Nelson on some music they'd cowritten. My sister and I rolled one up and smoked one with him as a tribute.
    You see I'm American Native Cherokee Indian, even though I don't smoke weed and haven't for a long, long time. In the early 80's Willie used to have a New Year's Eve celebration at the Summit in Houston, every year. It IS now known as the Osteen's Lakewood Church and the compac center. Suffice it to say, Wilie knows how to ring in a NewYear.u

  28. j.... y....

    saludos de LIMA PERU eres un gran cantante me gusta mucho tu musica y tu voz bendiciones

  29. R.... M....

    Love that simple guitar sound at @3:45

  30. J.... C....

    hermoso tema !! saludos desde Argentina

  31. D.... B....

    Song makes me SO GLAD to be a southerner AND having lived in BOTH Louisiana and Mississippi!!!

    D.... B....

    Me two Louisiana and Mississippi i now live in Paris France

  32. K.... F....

    Like the song from Joe Dassin ''On s'est aime comme on se quitte''

  33. d.... l....

    When a 22 years old frenchy guy felt in love in Austin Texas with a wonderful girl called Laura Beth this song is till in memory

  34. m.... p....

    man, am i gunna miss the comments on you tube. that hasbeen part of the fun :-(

  35. A.... A....

    I'm in Love with this song

  36. M.... M....

    This train goes through the town I have lived in most of my life. I was filling up with gas the other night in a nearby town when this train went by next to the station (Casey's General Store) I was at. Two women employees were sitting outside the door taking a break (I was the only one there) and after the train went by I told them that was the City of New Orleans. They looked at me like I was off my rocker, so I had to explain to them about the train and that Willy Nelson sang a great version of the song about it. I hadn't heard it for quite awhile myself so when I got home I had to play it cause I couldn't get it out of my head. When I listen to Willie sing it I feel as if I'm riding on that train myself.

  37. P.... M....

    joe dassin on t a grille

  38. H.... ....

    Reminds me of my grandfather. He worked on trains and the railroad in New Orleans. 😪

  39. K.... D....

    What did they so before Willie? Can't imagine life without him,he is the truest cowboy Ive every seen ,and at what 86 he sounds great I seen him bout 5-6 years ago . Willie is a badass 👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

  40. S.... M....

    One of the original greats of country music! They just don’t make them like this anymore!

  41. M.... L....

    EXCELLENT. Merci pour cette voix country MAGNIFIQUE.

  42. C.... R....

    I worked for CSX for over 20 years and railroading is something that never gets out of the blood. Love this song.

  43. J.... D....

    Well Willie, I was having dinner with the ladies.And I just found out that you have another fan here in Buffalo. Her name is Lindsay . Then you have my house mate Irena.

  44. W.... ....

    Hyvää huomenta suomi

  45. B.... B....

    This is true country music not that stupid pop country today

  46. v.... ....

    ..... I'm your native son has a bit of meaning deep, the song seemingly to remember the Veterans returning home during the time this was written

  47. N.... J....

    We all have our opinions on which version is the best and I won't offer my opinion. What I will do however, is offer a comment on my favorite line in the song, "Good morning America how are ya'?" Life doesn't get much better than that. That is all.

  48. R.... M....

    Truly one of America's simple pleasures, a beautiful tale of this country!

  49. M.... 1....

    I love this song ... The lyrics are poetic and haunting... Add that voice... Jeez. ... Music does not exist anymore

  50. e.... ....

    I rode it all my life !

  51. B.... w....

    GMA how are you 🤣🤣 I love this song

  52. R.... D....

    I do believe I actually like this version more than any others

  53. H.... S....

    0:37 I'm from Kankakee

  54. J.... E....

    My best friend pass away 2009 he was only 21 yrs old, i still miss you till this day. He plays this song in guitar and all other willie nelson songs and country song. I miss you bro, a shot of jack for you.. listening from the philippines.

  55. l.... b....

    This is great music, love you Willie Nelson.

  56. c.... m....

    Beautiful song Beautiful man Beautiful train. Love from Australia

  57. w.... o....

    This is good, but Arlo Guthrie OWNS this song, by a long shot.

  58. K.... T....

    A classic! I love this song!

  59. G.... A....

    Hi willie.
    If you happen to read this post.well done.its a fantastic cover of this great american anthem.im English. But live in new Zealand. We have lost a lot of our classic express trains.due to long distant busses and air new bloody zealand.only three trains left.the northern explorer the tran alpine,and the coastal Pacific. Great train trips on the 3'6" gauge.there is no longer a train running south to Dunedin and Invercargill. No longer a train running to hawkes bay on the east coast of the north island.no trains north of Auckland no trains to the bay of plenty.no trains to new Plymouth only freight just horrible buses or fly.
    Id love to come to the states and ride this legend of American rdilroads.

  60. W.... T....

    Willie is the best singer in the world

  61. A.... ....

    This is the best version of this song I have ever heard in my opinion.  I heard Willie sing it live in concert back in 1985.  Great show with Waylon Jennings.

  62. Y.... k....

    Homesick just missing kankakee believe it or not

  63. M.... W....

    Great song!

  64. L.... H....

    2019 love this still <3

  65. N.... G....

    Love and miss you gramma

  66. S.... ....

    I can remember my dad buying this album from WHSmiths & playing this song in the car & it stuck with me...I think I bought Jean Michel Jarre-Rendevous that day....all cassette obviously

  67. B.... N....

    Rode this train many times on Monday mornings from New Orleans to Hammond, Louisiana to attend college. Only 60-70 miles but just riding it back in the late 50s gave me the chills. Lots of great memories and Arlo an Willie bring them back. Arlo's video is super.

  68. V.... V....

    Hi iam from Brazil and i Love this song

  69. P.... F....

    It’s such a shame that when Willie goes a huge chunk of American music/history is gonna go with him cuz young folks nowadays don’t have much interest in Music history cuz if they did there’s no way they’d be listening to the audio shitbombs they call music these days....just an observation

  70. P.... H....

    Ridin' on the City of New Orleans
    Illinois Central Monday morning rail
    Fifteen cars and fifteen restless riders
    Three conductors and twenty-five sacks of mail

    All along the southbound odyssey
    the train pulls out of Kankakee
    And rolls along past houses farms and fields
    Passing trains that have no name
    and freight yards full of old black men
    And the graveyards of the rusted automobiles

    Good morning, America. How are you?
    Say, don't you know me? I'm your native son
    I'm the train they call the City of New Orleans
    And I'll be gone five hundred miles
    when the day is done
    ++++++++++++
    Dealin' cards with the old men in the club car
    Penny a point, ain't no one keepin' score
    Pass the paper bag that holds the bottle
    feel the wheels rumbling 'neath the floor

    And the sons of Pullman porters
    and the sons of engineers
    Ride their fathers' magic carpet made of steel
    Mothers with their babes asleep
    rockin' to the gentle beat
    And the rhythm of the rails is all they feel

    Good morning, America. How are you?
    Say, don't you know me? I'm your native son
    I'm the train they call the City of New Orleans
    And I'll be gone five hundred miles
    when the day is done
    ****************
    Night time on the City of New Orleans
    changing cars in Memphis Tennessee
    Halfway home we'll be there by morning
    Through the Mississippi darkness
    rolling down to the sea

    And all the towns and people
    seem to fade into a bad dream
    And the steel rails still ain't heard the news
    The conductor sings his songs again
    the passengers will please refrain
    This train has got the disappearing railroad blues

    Good morning, America. How are you?
    Say, don't you know me? I'm your native son
    I'm the train they call the City of New Orleans
    I'll be gone five hundred miles
    when the day is done.....

  71. M.... P....

    400 Satanists disliked this video.

  72. R.... M....

    No one like Willie for this song in particular which was written by the great and young Steve Goodman. Wonderful words and chord structure from John Prine close friend Steve

  73. L.... w....

    Driving on the road today along side a train going down the tracks and on one of the train cars had Illinois central in white bold letters on the side, I did a double take and instantly thought of this song and began to smile... :) great song by a wonderful person.

  74. M.... S....

    The harmonica adds a lot!

  75. g.... ....

    This song makes me want to drop everything, get in my car and just drive across our beautiful country

    g.... ....

    I think you are supposed to drop everything and buy a train ticket across our beautiful country.

    g.... ....

    I rode Amtrak's Empire Builder from Chicago to Portland a few years ago.... absolute beauty from start to finish... the highlights would be riding west... dinner in the evening along the Mississippi River in Minnesota, the Plains for the majority of the next day, and dinner in the early evening going through the Rockies, and then the Columbia River Gorge the next morning. Absolutely stunning.

    g.... ....

    Mr. Boomer that sounds fantastic. Glad you had a great time

  76. �.... �....

    The real american music without naked ass and convulsions...
    From Russia.

  77. S.... A....

    It's American history 101 with a rhythm! I am certain American millenials don't know that there was such a train called 'City of New Orleans'. As a Guyanese that was a fine history lesson for me. Kudos to Willie Nelson and Steve Goodman.

  78. J.... P....

    I love the railroad , spent 4 years working in Reading station in England, 15 platforms of fun. now retired and live in devon and I can see the steam railway from my back garden. love willie and his music

  79. j.... m....

    376 people have no taste in music ,hate America, voted for Hubert Humphrey, and killed Jesus.

  80. S.... H....

    Love Willie Nelson best ever and the Highwaymen Ireland

    S.... H....

    Shay Hamilton sitting here in county Clare listening to this

  81. N.... L....

    I miss my dad he lives in North Carolina and I live in New York with my mom and I miss my dad😥😥😥😥💓
    I miss my dad so much I want to see him so bad I’m gonna be 15 this year and he is coming up to see me I’m so excited❤️

    N.... L....

    I hope your vist goes, or did go, wonderfully!

    N.... L....

    see Todd white :)

    N.... L....

    It’s going to be ok man I understand how it is I am 17 and I barely get to see my dad and it hurts I miss him as well but I’ll tell you it’s going to get better keep your head up and keep on going man

    N.... L....

    How was your visit with your dad?

  82. w.... n....

    My name is William i was named after him

  83. T.... V....

    The 50s 60s were the best, Family BBQs, no fighting, just drinking, laughing and most importantly Sex without wearing Walmart bags on ya

  84. T.... V....

    I love this but still prefer super old Cajun music that I don’t know what there saying in south Louisiana lol

  85. B.... T....

    The best version of this song

  86. P.... F....

    Love this version much better than Arlo's. Willie is a national treasure!

  87. R.... N....

    How sad, I never got to listen to this gem of a song by Willie before coming to North America! Surprising that he was never played on Radio Ceylon(Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation) before the 1980's. Wonder if they play Willie Nelson at all today. Undoubtedly, an American icon of country music. I also like the recent one he did with our very own Canadian darling, Shanya Twain- 'Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain.' Keep on singing, man!

  88. J.... R....

    At 90 I look back and think of Willie and this song one of my favorites .

    J.... R....

    Good luck to you John. I'm sitting in my kitchen listening to the great man. I should be in bed as I'm heading to Cardiff in the morning with my son to watch Wales v Ireland in one of the greatest physical games in sport. Rugby not for the faint hearted but a fabulous game. John you are the man. God bless you fellow.

  89. A.... C....

    Steve Goodman was one of the best songwriters to have ever graced the planet.

  90. B.... C....

    Definitely one of my feel good goto songs. Good morning America!!!

  91. D.... D....

    Gotta love this song just to imagine a big engine pulling a mile of rail cars with the America’s landscapes slipping by a by gone era that we all wish we could go back to life that was simpler and didn’t worry about the smoke from the engine

    D.... D....

    I drive a 1967 truck and don’t smell anything behind it. The newer cars have an awful smell because the gas has went to shit.Growing up if I got gas on my hands it would burn ya ass quick now I can wash my balls with gas!!

  92. N.... z....

    Salut les amoureux. Joe Dessin.

    N.... z....

    C'est ce qu'on appele un cambriolage de mélodie 😂

  93. J.... K....

    Makes me want to go to work for the railroad!

  94. B.... B....

    If you don't tear up listening to this beautiful piece of the Americana first imagined and performed by the late-Steve Goodman, you don't have a heart. A picture in time of a trip through the heartland via the rails when MADE-IN-AMERICA was still king. This is the ultimate Willie-ballad-by-proxy that still rings true nearly four decades later.

  95. D.... H....

    You would never know i have a broken wrist if i didnt tell you.

  96. F.... M....

    Good morning America how are you.Here enjoying my journey of life.

  97. L.... G....

    So many folk songs about the romanticism of trains, but this one will always be my favorite.

  98. M.... K....

    From my trip to New Orléans-just gréât!!!! Memories 🎸🎸🎸🎼🎼🎼🎼⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💽💽💽