This song was recorded on a Korg 1200 with two tracks of my Takamine, the Korg SP300 in upright piano mode, and a little harp. It's all me, I got no one else to blame.
Story behind the song
This song is sung in the first person even though it is just a reflection of the conversations that I heard between Dad and Mom around the supper table where children were “seen and not heard”. The idea was given to me by my first and oldest friend, Bill Singleton jr.
By the way, a “dog law” is when the total number of hours that a railroader has been working has exceeded the maximum allowed by the Union. At that point the train stopped where it was and a taxi was sent for the crew to take them home.
The song and structure are classic blues with acoustic guitar lead, upright piano, and harp with a quiet bass line.
Lyrics
TWIN CITY RAILROAD BLUES
I’ve been ridin’ rails all week, now it’s time to head on home.
I’ve been ridin’ rails all week, now it’s time to head on home.
But, I’ve been caught in a Dog Law, now I’m sitting in the cab alone.
I went to Hazard last Tuesday, the Clerk said it would be a 10 hour run
I went to Hazard last Tuesday, the Clerk said it would be a 10 hour run
Now it’s Friday night back in Irvine, no time left for fun.
I went to tell the superintendent, man I have got to choose
I went to tell the superintendent, man I have got to choose
He said you got the good for nothin’ low-down Twin City Railroad Blues.
BRIDGE
I don’t mind the hours, I really like the pay,
But this job can give you fits, it’ll drive you insane
I don’t want to whine, don’t want to complain
But the CSX don’t leave me any time to play
I went to tell the superintendent, man I have got to choose
I went to tell the superintendent, man I have got to choose
He said you got the good for nothin’ low-down Twin City Railroad Blues.