"Morningtown Ride" is a lullaby, written and performed by American singer Malvina Reynolds. It was covered by the Australian pop group the Seekers and their recording reached No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart. The song tells the comforting story of the journey through nighttime made by all the "little travellers" (children), on board a train, with the Sandman as guard."Lullabies for Sleepy Eyes", Susie Tallman & Rock Me Baby Records. Retrieved September 29, 2016.
The Seekers version The song was performed by the Seekers with Bobby Richards and his Orchestra on the 1964 album Hide & Seekers (W&G Records WG-B-2362). It was subsequently re-recorded and released as a single in 1966 (Columbia DB 8060), produced by Tom Springfield."Billboard Hot 100", Billboard, March 25, 1967. Accessed September 29, 2016.
The song spent 15 weeks on the UK Singles Chart, reaching No. 2 on 28 December 1966. In the United States, the song spent seven weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 44, while reaching No. 13 on Billboards Easy Listening chart."Billboard Top 40 Easy Listening", Billboard, April 15, 1967. p. 20. Accessed September 29, 2016.
Charts Chart (1966–67)PeakpositionMalaysia"Hits of the World", Billboard, February 18, 1967. p. 60. Accessed September 29, 2016.4South Africa"Hits of the World", Billboard, January 28, 1967. p. 70. Accessed September 29, 2016.9
Other versions The Irish Rovers recorded versions of the song, which were released on the 1972 album The Irish Rovers Live and the 1976 album Children of the Unicorn. In 1973, the Irish Rovers' version reached No. 83 on Canada's RPM 100"RPM 100", RPM Weekly, Volume 20, No. 1, August 18, 1973. Accessed October 8, 2016. and No. 39 on RPMs Adult Contemporary Playlist."Adult Contemporary Playlist", RPM Weekly, Volume 19, No. 11, April 28, 1973. Accessed October 8, 2016. Brendan Grace recorded a version of the song, which reached No. 25 on the Irish Singles Chart on 6 January 1985.Song Title Search Results for "Morningtown Ride", The Irish Charts. Accessed September 29, 2016.
See also Morningtown Ride to Christmas, 2001 album by the Seekers List of train songs
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