Down Along the Dixie Line
Exploring Nostalgia: Journey Along the Dixie Line
Lyrics
Way down in Dixie
Expressing being far down in the Southern United States (Dixie).
Oh, do they miss me
Wondering if the speaker is missed in Dixie.
Down along the Dixie Line
Describing a location along the Dixie Line.
Banjos a-strumming
Depicting the sound of banjos playing.
Horseflies a-humming
Highlighting the presence of buzzing horseflies.
Ripe melons on the vine
Mentioning the abundance of ripe melons on vines.
The gold and the grey weeds
Referring to both gold and grey weeds in the surroundings.
Sing, "look away"
Quoting a phrase ("look away") often associated with Southern sentiments.
Way down along the Dixie Line
Reiterating the location along the Dixie Line.
I spent my childhood walking the wildwood
Recalling childhood memories spent in the wildwood of Dixie.
Down along the Dixie Line
Reaffirming the location along the Dixie Line.
Freight trains a-squalling
Describing the sound of freight trains.
Highballs a-bawlin'
Depicting the loud sounds of highballs (train signals).
Four engines at a time
Referring to the simultaneous operation of four train engines.
I was so happy with mama and pappy
Expressing happiness with parents (mama and pappy) along the Dixie Line.
Down along the Dixie Line
Reiterating the location along the Dixie Line.
Can't you hear those drivers wail?
Asking if the listener can hear the mournful sound of train drivers.
Can't you see those bright rails shine?
Asking if the listener can see the shining train rails.
Gonna catch that fireball mail
Expressing the intention to catch a fast mail train (fireball mail).
Leave that Northland far behind
Planning to leave the Northland behind.
A river of whiskey flows down in Dixie
Metaphorically describing a flow of whiskey in Dixie.
Down along the Dixie Line
Reiterating the location along the Dixie Line.
They pulled up the tracks now
Indicating the removal of train tracks, symbolizing a barrier to return.
I can't go back now
Expressing the impossibility of going back.
Can't hardly keep from cryin'
Conveying emotional difficulty, possibly tears, due to the inability to return.
Oh, do they miss me way down in Dixie
Repeating the theme of being missed in Dixie.
Down along the Dixie Line
Reiterating the location along the Dixie Line.
Can't you hear those drivers wail?
Repeating the question about hearing train drivers.
Can't you see those bright rails shine?
Repeating the question about seeing bright rails.
Wanna catch that fireball man
Expressing the desire to catch the fireball mail train.
Leave that Northland far behind
Reiterating the intention to leave the Northland.
Down along the Dixie Line
Final affirmation of being down along the Dixie Line.
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