We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

My Dad's Last Ride (for Duncan Phillips)

from I Got My Learnin' From The L&N by John Paul Wright

/

about

When I joined Railroad Workers United, I met an amazing organizer. Safe to say, probably a best friend. My friend Ron “Baltimore Red” Kaminkow and I talk almost every day. We had been talking for a couple of years. Occasionally Red sends me a new movie or CD to study.

He sent a Utah Phillips box set and it sat on my desk for a long while. I listened to it once or twice, but I didn’t really like Utah’s voice. I was busy and didn’t take the time to listen to it. Well, I think what made me check it out was a YouTube video of Utah on Democracy Now. I then got it and became a serious fan of the Golden Voice of the Great Southwest.

One day in a regular old conversation, Red dropped a story on me, as it was something that was no big deal. Well, I went to work with the story in my head. I wrote the tune and really wanted to get it right. Trying to write a tune is much different than writing a tune about a strike or work action. I needed this to be as close to the truth as possible. I added just a bit of creative liberty. Just a small element of this ain’t no shit… ya’ know we are railroaders…

lyrics

Dad’s Last Ride
for Ron, Utah and Duncan 2012
(Singing To The Choir)

(Chorus)
I’m just here to take my dad’s last ride
He let the starlight on the rails, get in his eyes.
He never felt good, just hanging around.
Because that lonesome whistle was his favorite sound.

Hey, hey conductor who is your engineer?
If his name is Red, I have a story he needs to hear!
And if he asks , Oh, I’m just an old Hobo.
And the son of someone that he used to know.

We sat there a talkin’ as the sage brush blew by.
Ridin’ the rails under a clear Nevada sky.
Talking about my father and a good friend,
The spirit Utah Phillips is riding the rails again.

He told me you had asked him to hop your train and ride,
And how he wished he’d done that before he died.
He said that was one thing that he had always ment to do,
So he sent me down to take the ride with you.

He rode the railroads and traveled this land.
Collecting stories about a many a man.
Before he died he told me to make this trip.
And now he’s gone he’s packed his last grip..so..

credits

from I Got My Learnin' From The L&N, released July 14, 2017

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

John Paul Wright image

John Paul Wright Louisville, Kentucky

John Paul Wright is a community organizer, union organizer / Labor Singer and Djembe player. Working Locomotive Engineer and Folk Musician.. a man of many hats..

contact / help

Contact John Paul Wright

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this track or account

If you like John Paul Wright, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Featuring Riley Pinkerton (aka The Rat Queen) from the theatrical NYC rockers, Castle Rat.
listen now