Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Roy Orbison Pay Tribute To Elvis On 1977’s Johnny Cash Christmas Show

“This Train Is Bound for Glory”, was originally entitled, “This Train.” It is a traditional American gospel song first recorded in 1922. Although its origins are unknown, the song was relatively popular during the 1920s known more as a  religious tune, and it became a gospel hit in the late 1930s for singer-guitarist Sister Rosetta Tharpe. After switching from acoustic to electric guitar, Tharpe released a more secular version of the song in the early 1950s, a recording that is considered one of the precursors of rock ‘n roll. You can view Tharpe’s live version in the video below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DX5zMphF0NY

The song’s popularity was also partially due to the influence of folklorists John A. Lomax and Alan Lomax, who discovered the song while making field recordings in the American South in the early 1930s and included it in folk song anthologies that were published in 1934 and 1960. These anthologies brought the song to the attention of an even broader audience during the folk music revival of the 1950s and 1960s. And then Johnny Cash’s version made millions of head turn when his rendition of the song (featuring June Carter Cash) appeared on his 1979 hit album, “A Believer Sings the Truth.”

Lyrics to: “This Train is Bound For Glory”

This train is bound for glory, this train.
This train is bound for glory, this train.
This train is bound for glory,
Don’t carry nothing but the righteous and the holy.
This train is bound for glory, this train.

This train don’t carry no gamblers, this train;
This train don’t carry no gamblers, this train;
This train don’t carry no gamblers,
Liars, thieves, nor big shot ramblers,
This train is bound for glory, this train.

This train don’t carry no liars, this train;
This train don’t carry no liars, this train;
This train don’t carry no liars,
She’s streamlined and a midnight flyer,
This train don’t carry no liars, this train.

This train don’t carry no smokers, this train;
This train don’t carry no smokers, this train
This train don’t carry no smokers,
Two bit liars, small time jokers,
This train don’t carry no smokers, this train.

This train don’t carry no con men, this train;
This train don’t carry no con men, this train;
This train don’t carry no con men,
No wheeler dealers, here and gone men,
This train don’t carry no con men, this train.

This train don’t carry no rustlers, this train;
This train don’t carry no rustlers, this train;
This train don’t carry no rustlers,
Sidestreet walkers, two bit hustlers,
This train is bound for glory, this train.

 

 

Do you know any other fun facts about this popular folk hit? Tell us in the comments section below.

SOURCES: (Wikipedia, Youtube)

RELATED:

Oh, Pretty Woman – Roy Orbison Live On The Johnny Cash Show

Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly And A Young Johnny Cash , Earliest Footage VERY Rare