Song Lyric Sunday: Blossom

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.

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