
Ervin T. Rouse wrote “Orange Blossom Special” in 1938 about the passenger train of the same name. Rouse was inspired by his Jacksonville, Florida tour of the luxury train to write the music; lyrics were added later. Ervin and Gordon Rouse recorded the original in 1939. It’s been called the fiddle player’s national anthem and it’s a favorite at bluegrass festivals. The song has the rhythm of a train and can generate a lot of energy. Johnny Cash has a great cover of the song and played it with Rouse in Miami after Cash found out that Rouse was the original creator. There was a dispute over authorship for a while with another musician, Chubby Wise. In 1997, another musician claimed credit for it. But there’s no argument that JC does a kickin’ cover, right?
Orange Blossom Special
Look a-yonder comin’
Comin’ down that railroad track
Hey, look a-yonder comin’
Comin’ down that railroad track
It’s the Orange Blossom Special
Bringin’ my baby back
Well, I’m going down to Florida
And get some sand in my shoes
Or maybe Californy
And get some sand in my shoes
I’ll ride that Orange Blossom Special
And lose these New York blues […]
~*~
Written for Jim Adams’ Song Lyric Sunday.
Image is mine. Information from Wikipedia.
©️2021 Paula Light and Light Motifs II. No unauthorized use permitted. Please check out Paula’s books for sale on Amazon. Thank you.
Thanks Paula as I really wanted somebody to add this song in today. I appreciate all the information that you researched on it, as I have herd it often but never knew anything about it. Johnny does do a great job with this tuene.
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Yay, my pleasure!
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I saw Johnny Cash in concert in the early 1970s. I was not in to country and wasn’t sure I would enjoy the gift ticket. Needless to say, I changed my mind with his great talent. Great choice.
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Thanks! That must have been so much fun.
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It was indeed.
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If you ever get a chance, listen to Charlie McCoy play this on harmonica. Johnny did all right here!
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Will do!
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This was great Paula. He was amazing wasn’t he? ☺️
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Loved him! ❤️
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Hey… that was on my 1st birthday. Awesome song pick! Gotta love the Man In Black🎶💃🏼
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Sweet!
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I read a little about the Orange Blossom Special–it ran from New York to Florida only during the winter months. It was fun to imagine the excitement of the 1938 era passengers boarding to get away from the New York winter and go to Florida! Yay!
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It would make a good setting for a story!
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That’s what I was thinking.
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Oh yes! I did this song for harmonica week and used the same video. Sooo good! 😊
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Awesome! 🤩
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The whole thing is awesome. I hula hoop to this song, but I’ve had to give it up until my knees get better. 🙂
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