LATTER DAY COLUMBUS

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

Lyrics Bob Nierstedt Music Bob Nierstedt
Publisher NBT Records Performance Bob Nierstedt,Dick Farrar,Chuck Poston
Label Ride the Train Vol 15&16 NBT Records

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