Rolling stock and blue trimmed house
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Posted: September 09, 2006
View all Linton.
"Last night I dreamed I went down to the office
To get my payday like I done before
But them old kudzu vines, they was covering over the doorway
And there was leaves and grass
Growing right up to the floor."
"I was born and raised at the mouth of the Hazard Holler
Where the coal cars rolled and rumbled past my door
But now they stand in a rusty row of all empties
Because the L&N don't stop here anymore...."
I don't mean to compare the little working town of Linton to Appalachia in any obvious sense. But there's something about small woodframe buildings in close proximity to heavy rolling stock that brings to mind another era and world, one that hardly exists anymore. This image makes me think of the lyrics from a favorite song sung by Michelle Shocked, "The L&N Don't Stop Here Anymore." (Further research shows it was originally credit to Than Hall (and Jean Ritchie), copyright 1963. Michelle Shocked's lyrics are similar to the "Rise Up Singing" version, but as poetry the original ones scan just a lttle better.
"Last night I dreamed I went down to the office
To get my payday like I done before
Them old cudsy vines had covered up the doorway
And there was trees and grass well a-growin' through the floor.'
"For I was born and raised at the mouth of Hazard Holler
Coal cars roarin' and a rumblin' past my door
Now they're standin' rusty, rollin' empty
And the L and N don't stop here anymore."
Source: "Rise Up Singing", p. 147. Well, it's all good.
"Last night I dreamed I went down to the office
To get my payday like I done before
But them old kudzu vines, they was covering over the doorway
And there was leaves and grass
Growing right up to the floor."
"I was born and raised at the mouth of the Hazard Holler
Where the coal cars rolled and rumbled past my door
But now they stand in a rusty row of all empties
Because the L&N don't stop here anymore...."
I don't mean to compare the little working town of Linton to Appalachia in any obvious sense. But there's something about small woodframe buildings in close proximity to heavy rolling stock that brings to mind another era and world, one that hardly exists anymore. This image makes me think of the lyrics from a favorite song sung by Michelle Shocked, "The L&N Don't Stop Here Anymore." (Further research shows it was originally credit to Than Hall (and Jean Ritchie), copyright 1963. Michelle Shocked's lyrics are similar to the "Rise Up Singing" version, but as poetry the original ones scan just a lttle better.
"Last night I dreamed I went down to the office
To get my payday like I done before
Them old cudsy vines had covered up the doorway
And there was trees and grass well a-growin' through the floor.'
"For I was born and raised at the mouth of Hazard Holler
Coal cars roarin' and a rumblin' past my door
Now they're standin' rusty, rollin' empty
And the L and N don't stop here anymore."
Source: "Rise Up Singing", p. 147. Well, it's all good.
