About the song
Few songs capture the spirit of Americana and the bittersweet beauty of the open road quite like “City of New Orleans.” Written by Steve Goodman in 1971, this evocative ode to the iconic train that once connected Chicago to New Orleans has seen many interpretations over the years. However, Willie Nelson’s version stands out as a masterful blend of his signature storytelling style and a heartfelt connection to the song’s themes of nostalgia, change, and the passage of time.
Willie Nelson, a legendary figure in American music, has built his career on blending country, folk, and blues into a sound that is as unique as it is enduring. With his unmistakable voice—equal parts weathered and tender—and his masterful guitar playing, Nelson has long been a champion of songs that tell stories, whether they’re tales of love, loss, or the quiet beauty of everyday life. “City of New Orleans” fits perfectly within his repertoire, a song that speaks not only to the specific history of a once-great train but also to the broader themes of American resilience and nostalgia.
Goodman’s lyrics paint vivid pictures of the train’s journey through the heartland of America: “Illinois Central, Monday morning rail / Fifteen cars and fifteen restless riders / Three conductors and twenty-five sacks of mail.” These words evoke a sense of motion, community, and a way of life that, even in the early 1970s, was already fading into memory. By the time Willie Nelson recorded the song in 1984, the decline of the American railway system had become an even more poignant symbol of change—one that resonated deeply with his audience.
Nelson’s rendition of “City of New Orleans” is remarkable for its emotional depth and simplicity. He approaches the song with a quiet reverence, letting the lyrics speak for themselves while infusing them with his own brand of understated emotion. His vocal delivery, warm and unhurried, mirrors the rhythm of the train itself, creating a sense of continuity and reflection that feels timeless. Meanwhile, his arrangement, rich with acoustic guitar and subtle harmonies, underscores the song’s themes without overwhelming them.
What makes this version so compelling is how Nelson taps into the universal appeal of Goodman’s song. On the surface, “City of New Orleans” is a tribute to a train and its passengers. But beneath that, it’s a meditation on the passage of time, the inevitability of change, and the enduring power of memory. In Nelson’s hands, these themes come alive with a resonance that feels deeply personal yet universal.
As you listen to Willie Nelson’s “City of New Orleans,” you’re not just hearing a song about a train—you’re embarking on a journey through the heart of America, guided by one of its most iconic voices. It’s a reminder of the beauty in life’s transience and the enduring power of music to connect us to the past, present, and future.
Video
Lyrics
Riding 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 pulled out at Kankakee
And rolls along past houses, farms and fields
Passin’ trains that have no names
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’ card games 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 rumblin’ ‘neath the floor
And the sons of Pullman Porters
And the sons of engineers
Ride their father’s magic carpet made of steel
Mothers with their babes asleep
Are rockin’ to the gentle beat
And the rhythm of the rail 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
I’ll be gone five hundred miles when the day is done
Nighttime on the city of New Orleans
Changing cars in Memphis, Tennessee
Half way home, we’ll be there by morning
Through the Mississippi darkness
Rolling down to the sea
But 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
