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Lining Track

Trad.

A traditional African American railroad work song associated with Huddie "Lead Belly" Ledbetter, who recorded it as a folk song.

LYRICS

00:00 / 01:04

CHORUS

Ho, boys, cancha line 'em track

Ho, boys, cancha line 'em track

Ho, boys, cancha line 'em track


Ho, boys, is you right?

I done got right

All I hate about linin' track

These ol' bars 'bout to bust my back


CHORUS


Let's see Eloise go linin' track

Down in the holler below the field

Angels are workin' on my chariot wheel


CHORUS


Mary and the baby were settin' in the shade

Thinkin' of the money that I ain't made


CHORUS


Well, I bin on the river, nineteen and ten

But I didn't have no women like the drivin' men


CHORUS


Moses stood on the Red Sea shore

He was battin' at the waves with a two-by-four


CHORUS


Well if I could I surely would

Stand on the rock where Moses stood


CHORUS


Mary, Marthy, Luke and John

Well all them 'ciples now they're dead and gone


CHORUS


Well you keep talkin' 'bout the break ahead

Ain't said nothin' 'bout my hog an' bread


CHORUS


Ho, boys, is you right?

I done got right

All I hate about linin' track

These ol' bars 'bout to bust my back


CHORUS x 2

Tags:

Nth American, USA, Train, Work Song, Land Shanty, Traditional

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We acknowledge the Gadigal and Bidjigal people of the Eora nation, upon whose lands we gather and sing.
We acknowledge sovereignty was never ceded. This always was and always will be Aboriginal land.

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Numerous photos by Nick Ryden 

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