Story Behind The Song
During the 20's and 30's there were a large number of men and boys who moved about the country in boxcars picking up work whenever the needed to. It was mostly tolerated by the railroads as these were hard times in the country and the only things that mat
Song Description
Wistful,poignant look at an old rail rider whose days are soon coming to an end.
| Song Length |
2:16 |
Genre |
Country - Traditional, Folk - Traditional |
| Tempo |
Slow (71 - 90) |
Lead Vocal |
Male Vocal |
| Mood |
Poignant |
Subject |
Philosophy, Trains |
| Similar Artists |
Kris Kristofferson |
Language |
English |
| Era |
1960 - 1969 |
| |
Lyrics
LATTER DAY COLUMBUS
DRESSED AGAINST THE MORNIN? CHILL, STANDS A HOBO LEGEND CALLED RAILROAD BILL, ON HIS WEATHERED FACE THERE IS A SMILE, NEVER LOOKS FOR LUXURY, MUCH PREFERS TO RIDE FOR FREE, THE CALIFORNIA SILVER ZEPHYR?S NOT HIS STYLE.
HE LOOKS AROUND FOR RAILROAD COPS, CLIMBS INTO A WESTBOUND BOX, SETTLES IN FOR ANOTHER THOUSAND MILES. HE?S HEADIN? SOMEWHERE WEST TODAY, IT DOESN?T MATTER HE?LL NEVER STAY, HE?LL TIRE OF THIS NEW PLACE IN A WHILE.
CHORUS: HE?S A LATTER DAY COLUMBUS, SEARCHIN? FOR NEW WORLDS, NOT DEPENDIN? ON THE WIND TO FILL HIS SAILS, HE?S A VAGABOND EXPLORER, NEVER KNOWIN? ANY BOUNDS, HE?S FREE TO GO WHEREVER THERE ARE RAILS.
HE KNOWS HE?LL NEVER SETTLE DOWN, HE?LL RIDE THE RAILS FROM TOWN TO TOWN, SEARCHIN? FOR A PLACE HE?LL NEVER FIND. IT?S THE FREEDOM THAT HE LOVES SO MUCH, BUT YOU WONDER IF HE?S EVER TOUCHED BY WHAT HE?S SEEN OR WHAT HE?S LEFT BEHIND.
HE KNOWS HE DOESN?T HAVE TOO LONG, HIM AND THE RAILS WILL SOON BE GONE, THEY BOTH ARE FROM ANOTHER TIME AND PLACE, TILL THAT TIME COMES HE?LL RIDE THE RODS, BREATHE THE AIR OF THE RAILROAD YARDS, FEEL THE STING OF THE WIND UPON HIS FACE.
CHORUS: HE?S A LATTER DAY COLUMBUS, SEARCHIN? FOR NEW WORLDS, NOT DEPENDIN? ON THE WIND TO FILL HIS SAILS, HE?S A VAGABOND EXPLORER NEVER KNOWIN? ANY BOUNDS, HE?S FREE TO GO WHEREVER THERE ARE RAILS.
COPYRIGHT© JULY, 2002
BOB NIERSTEDT