On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe
Journey on the Rails: Echoes of Freedom and Adventure
Lyrics
Do you hear that whistle down the line, I figure that it's Engine #49,
Reference to the sound of a train whistle, likely Engine #49 on the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe route.
She's the only one that'll sound that way on the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe.
Emphasizing that Engine #49 has a distinctive sound on this specific railway route.
See the old smoke rising round the bend,
Observation of smoke signaling the approaching train around a bend.
I reckon that she knows she's gonna meet a friend.
Suggesting the train anticipates meeting a familiar destination or friend.
Folks around these parts set the time of day
Locals use the train schedule to set the time of day in these parts.
From on the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe.
Highlighting the significance of the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe railway in the community.
Here she comes, whoo oo oo oo, hey Jim, you better get the rig.
Announcing the arrival of the train; Jim is alerted to prepare.
Whoo oo oo oo, she's got a list of passengers that's pretty big
Expressing the anticipation of a large number of passengers on the train.
And they'll all want a lift to Brown's Hotel,
Mentioning Brown's Hotel as a destination for passengers.
'Cause lots of them been traveling for quite a spell
Noting that passengers have been traveling for an extended period.
All the way from Philadelphia on the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe.
Specifically mentioning the origin of some passengers, Philadelphia, on the same railway.
All aboard, all aboard, oo oo oo.
Traditional call for passengers to board the train.
Let her rip, let her rip, Mr. Engineer,
Encouraging the engineer to start the train's movement.
Gotta go, gotta go far away from here.
Expressing the urgency to leave and travel far away.
While the man at the fire shovels in the coals,
Describing the activity of the person tending to the train's fire.
Stick your head out the cab and watch the drivers roll.
Encouraging someone to observe the turning of the train's wheels.
See the towns and the roads go a whizzing by,
Observing the passing towns and roads from the train's perspective.
Fare thee well Laramie and Rocky Mountain High,
Bidding farewell to specific locations like Laramie and referencing a well-known song "Rocky Mountain High."
Yes sirree, here we are, going all the way, mustn't quit 'til we hit California.
Expressing determination to reach California without stopping.
See the old smoke rising round the bend,
Reiteration of smoke indicating the train's presence.
I reckon that she knows she's gonna meet a friend.
Repeating the idea that the train expects to meet a friend or destination.
Folks around these parts set the time of day
Reemphasizing the local practice of setting time based on the train's schedule.
From on the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe.
Final reminder of the significance of the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe railway in the community.
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