Good morning, America, how are ya? Quintessential Americana: Arlo Guthrie's "The City Of New Orleans"
If you’re like me and watch “ Alice’s Restaurant ” each Thanksgiving, the following is for you. If not, read on anyway; you need to know this song. Woody Guthrie’s classic folk song “The City of New Orleans” has long been considered a quintessential piece of Americana music. The song, made famous by Arlo Guthrie in 1972, describes the experience of traveling on the Illinois Central Railroad train known as the City of New Orleans. Through its vivid imagery and evocative lyrics, the song captures the spirit of American travel and the unique culture of the cities along the train’s route. Editor’s Note: It departs from Kankakee, Illinois, less than an hour from my hometown, so, there’s that. Table of Contents Train Travel: A Journey Through America Diverse Cities Along the Route Exploring Themes of Memory and Longing The Power of Music to Unite A Historical Document of American Life Train Travel: A Journey Through America At its core, “The City of New Orleans” is a song about the beauty an