"I've Been Working on the Railroad" is an American folk song and nursery rhyme. The first published version appeared as "Levee Song" in Carmina Princetonia, a book of Princeton University songs published in 1894.James J. Fuld, The Book of World-Famous Music, 4th ed. (Dover, 1996), p. 309; cited at Mudcat Café's site Mudcat Cafe . The earliest known recording is by The Shannon Quartet, released by Victor Records in 1923.
Music The melody of the opening line of "I've Been Working on the Railroad" may have been inspired by the very similar melody at the beginning of the cello solo, about one minute into Franz von Suppé's 1846 Poet and Peasant overture.
Lyrics The verses that generally constitute the modern version of the song are:"Folksongs for Everyone", Remick Music Corp. 1962
The 1894 version includes one verse very much like the modern song, though in Minstrel dialect, with an intro that is no longer sung and a very different second verse:Carmina Princetonian: The Princeton Song Book, 21st ed. (G Shirmer, 1927), pp. 70–71; cited at Mudcat Cafe .Carmina Princetonia: The University Song Book, Eighth Edition (Martin R. Dennis & Co., 1894), pp. 24–25.
The "Someone's in the Kitchen with Dinah" section, with its noticeably different melody, is actually an older song that has been absorbed by "I've Been Working on the Railroad". It was published as "Old Joe, or Somebody in the House with Dinah" in London in the 1830s or '40s, with music credited to J.H. Cave.Fuld, p. 513–514; cited at Mudcat Cafe . "Dinah", an abducted woman from the biblical story of Genesis, was a generic name for a slave woman and, by extension, any woman of African-American descent. The melody for this section of the song may have been adapted from "Goodnight, Ladies", written (as "Farewell Ladies") in 1847 by E.P. Christy.Fuld, pp. 255–256; cited at Mudcat Cafe .
According to the liner notes to Pete Seeger's Children's Concert at Town Hall (1963), the "Dinah won't you blow" section is a more modern addition, contributed to the song by "some college students".Liner notes, Pete Seeger's Children's Concert at Town Hall, Columbia Records, 1963; reissued 1990.
Other extant verses and stanzas One extant verse that has been recorded in prominent sources follows the "Singin' fee, fie, fiddly-i-o" verse:
Someone's makin' love to Dinah Someone's making love I know. Someone's making love to Dinah 'Cause I can't hear the old banjo!
In another version of "I've Been Working on the Railroad" that is printed in "The Family Car Songbook", researched and edited by Tam Mossman, the song continues as follows:
I've been working on the trestle, Driving spikes that grip. I've been working on the trestle, To be sure the ties won't slip. Can't you hear the engine coming? Run to the stanchion of the bridge! Can't you see the big black smokestack Coming down the ridge?
Chorus
I've been living in the boxcars. I'm a hobo now. I've been living in the boxcars, Which the yard bulls won't allow. Brother, can you spare a quarter? Buy me something good to eat? Brother, can you spare a nickel, Till I'm on my feet?
Chorus
I'll be owner of this railroad One of these here days. I'll be owner of this railroad, And I swear, your pay I'll raise. I'll invite you to my mansion, Feed you on goose and terrapin. I'll invite you to the racetrack When my ship comes in.
ChorusMossman, Tam. 1983. The Family Car Song Book. Philadelphia: Running Press
"The Eyes of Texas" "The Eyes of Texas" is the spirit song of the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Texas at El Paso. It is set to the tune of "I've Been Working on the Railroad" with alternate lyrics written in 1904. Students, faculty, staff, and alumni of the university sing the song at Longhorn sports games and other events.
Notes
External links
Levee Song in Carmina Princetonia: The Princeton Song Book (1898) Discussion of "Someone in the Kitchen with Diana" at Mudcat Cafe