Freight train, freight train, run so fast

Freight Train is a song by Elizabeth Cotten. She wrote it when she was about ten years old, inspired by the sight and sound of freight trains passing by. It's a simple, touching song, describing the thoughts a ten year old girl has about dying and how life on earth goes on afterwards.

"When I die, Lorde, bury me deep, way down on old Chestnut street. Then I can hear old Number 9, as she comes rolling by"

Elizabeth Cotten played ragtime guitar; she kept the rhythm by playing the bass strings and played the melody on the other strings of her guitar. If you want to learn Ragtime guitar, this is a good song to start with, the bass line is very steady, and the melody is not too complex. Freight Train has been covered by many, among whom Chet Atkins. It's probably Cotten's best known song.

The song, with commentary by Cotten, taken in Pete Seeger's Rainbow Quest