I've Been Workin' On The Railroad

Almost 100,000 miles of railroad track criss-crossed America by the 1880s, and this old favorite captures the spirit of this era of the steam train. It may have descended from an old Irish hymn, or from the gangs working on the Mississippi levees. Dinah blowing the horn was a call to mealtime. Actually, "Someone's In The Kitchen With Dinah," was originally another song, but the two songs have been combined for so long, they are probably joined forever now.

The recorded tracks start with a recording of real steam trains, leading seamlessly into a happy shuffle full of sound effects on the tracks and from the singers. Also listen for the real banjo during the last part of the song, which also features a free-wheeling dixieland band with improvised parts by trumpet, clarinet and trombone.

Your singers can literally let off some steam as they perform the appropriate toots, chugs, honks, and a long whoosh at the end.

Discuss what trains were like in the last century, comparing them with modern trains. If there aren't many trains in your area, bring pictures to class.