The song "Wabash Cannonball" is a folk and country classic that has been recorded by numerous artists over the years. This version by Ernest Tubb And His Texas Troubadours is one of the most popular renditions. The lyrics of the song describe the journey of a train called the Wabash Cannonball, which travels from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific shore, passing through various states and landscapes along the way. The train is personified as a tall, handsome, and well-known entity. It is admired by the people who see it and is a symbol of power and majesty. The song also mentions a girl from Tennessee who traveled on the Wabash Cannonball from Birmingham. This suggests that the train is a means of transportation for people, carrying them across the country. The Eastern states of the United States, including New York, St. Louis, and Chicago, are praised in the song. The reference to the hills of Minnesota and the rippling waters falling denotes the natural beauty that the train passes through. There is a tribute in the lyrics to Daddy Claxton, who is remembered in the ports of Alabama. It is unclear who Daddy Claxton is, but his passing is noted, and the song suggests that he will be carried home on the Wabash Cannonball. The lyrics also mention the sounds associated with the train, including the jingle, rumble, and roar. The train's presence is felt as it glides through woodlands, hills, and the shorelines. The mention of lonesome hoboes calling suggests that the train is not only a form of transportation but also a symbol of freedom and adventure for those seeking a different lifestyle. Overall, the meaning of the song "Wabash Cannonball" revolves around the powerful and iconic imagery associated with the train, its journey across America, and the sense of excitement and wonder that it brings to the people who witness its passing.
