NEW RIVER TRAIN SONG

Created on 08/10/2016
Latest update on 21/03/2024

Artist: Henry Whitter
Author: traditional
Label: Okeh
Year: 1923

From Fries, VA, situated along the New River. Song learned from the Ward family from nearby Galax, VA. About the trainline along the New River, now a 57 mile long bike route operated by the National Park service. As the only north-bound and navigable waterway of the Appalachian range, the New River offered an ideal escape route for runaway slaves and a major link in the Underground Railway system.

Covers:

1925:

Kelly Harrell [also from Fries]

1925:

Vernon Dalhart

1928:

Ernest V. Stoneman [from Galax, VA]

1936:

Monroe Brothers

1959:

Pete Seeger

1961:

Andy Griffith

1962:

Wade Ward [this was a Wade family song since the end of the 19th century]

1967:

Doc Watson

1976:

Jim Marshall, Artie Marshall & Carson Gardner

1996:

Mike Seeger

See also: I Wish I Was A Mole In The Ground.

Contact


If you noticed blunt omissions, mis-interpretations or even out-and-out errors,
please let me know:

Arnold Rypens
Rozenlaan 65
B-2840 Reet (Rumst)

info@originals.be

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