Story Behind The Song
True story. I met a woman in a run down apartment stairway, and she was saying these very words "Rock-a-line, Caroline" and her husband was off on the Rock Island Railway.
It struck me how strong this woman was in the face of single parenthood.
Song Description
A lullabye to a little girl who's daddy has run off. In this song he works on a rail line. Or the "rock-a-line" is what carried him away.
| Song Length |
3:40 |
Genre |
Folk - Country, Country - Alternative |
| Tempo |
Medium Slow (91 - 110) |
Lead Vocal |
Female Vocal |
| Mood |
Moving, Poignant |
Subject |
Love for Child, Long |
| Similar Artists |
Trisha Yearwood, Shania Twain |
Language |
English |
| Era |
1980 - 1989 |
| |
Lyrics
ROCK-A-LINE, CAROLINE C. 1983 Sally Fingerett
(CHORUS)
Rock-a-line, Caroline
Rock-a-line, Caroline
Your daddy was a lonely man
His treasures scarce and small
The whistle of the Rock-a-line
Was the final call.
CHORUS
See that sun a dancing
On the break waves of the sea
That?s the kind of lovin?
Your daddy gave to me.
CHORUS
And even though he left us here
I love you Caroline
We?ll dance across those breaking
Waves for all the rest of time.
CHORUS
The whistle of the Rock-a-line
Sounded way too soon
We just began a shining star
We?d raise beside the moon
CHORUS