"Here Comes the Freedom Train" is a song written by Stephen H. Lemberg, and recorded by American country music artist Merle Haggard and The Strangers. It was released in May 1976 as the first single from the album My Love Affair with Trains. "Here Comes the Freedom Train" peaked at number ten on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles chart. It reached number-one on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks in July 1976.
It was originally written for the country music duo of Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton, who recorded it with special guest Chet Atkins in RCA Studios for release in 1973 by the American Freedom Train Foundation. The 45 single of the recording was sold as a fund-raising item for the bicentennial trip Freedom Train took across the United States.Official website of the American Freedom Train
Content The song is historical narrative of the United States, which was about to celebrate its Bicentennial.
Personnel Merle Haggard– vocals, guitar
The Strangers: Roy Nichols – lead guitar Norman Hamlet – steel guitar, dobro Tiny Moore – mandolin Eldon Shamblin– guitar Ronnie Reno – guitar Mark Yeary – piano James Tittle – bass Biff Adam – drums Don Markham – saxophone
Chart performance Chart (1976)PeakpositionCanadian RPM Country Tracks1
See also List of train songs
References