John Denver's song "City of New Orleans" is actually a cover of the original song written by Steve Goodman. The lyrics tell the story of a train journey on the Illinois Central Railroad's City of New Orleans line from Chicago to New Orleans. The train is described as having fifteen cars and fifteen restless riders, three conductors, and twenty-five sacks of mail. As the train leaves Kankakee, it travels through various landscapes, passing houses, farms, and fields. The towns along the way are unnamed, and the freight yards are filled with old, tired men and rusted automobiles. These descriptions reflect the changing and fading industrial landscape as the train moves across the country. The song highlights the connection between the train and America, with the singer addressing the country, asking how it is doing and identifying himself as a native son. The train becomes a symbol of American culture and heritage. It carries the stories of the sons of Pullman porters and engineers who ride along, representing the working class and the railway industry. The lyrics mention the camaraderie experienced on the train, with the singer dealing cards with the old men in the club car and sharing a bottle in a paper bag. The train's wheels rumbling beneath the floor create a sense of movement and adventure. Towards the end of the song, the lyrics convey a sense of nostalgia and longing. The day turns into twilight, symbolizing the passing of time. The singer mentions being halfway home and looking forward to arriving in the morning with no tomorrow waiting around the bend, suggesting the desire to hold onto the present moment. The song concludes with the singer bidding America goodnight and expressing love for the country. He reiterates that he is the train called "The City of New Orleans" and will be gone five hundred miles when the day is done, emphasizing the transient nature of life and the journey on the train. Overall, "City of New Orleans" reflects the beauty, nostalgia, and significance of train travel as a symbol of American culture, while also capturing the sense of adventure and connection experienced on this particular journey.
