“Wreck of the Tennessee Gravy Train”

Description

The people of Tennessee want to know who wrecked their "gravy train"; bonds were issued to build highways, now the money's tied up, the people have nothing to show for it, and the banks have gone bust.

Long description

Singer says the people of Tennessee want to know who wrecked their "gravy train"; in a major scandal, bonds were issued for $5 million to build highways, now the money's tied up, the people have nothing to show for it, and the banks have gone bust. A Dave Macon chorus: "And now we're up against it, and no use to raise a row/Of all the times I've ever seen, we're sure up against it now/The only thing that we can do is to do the best we can/Follow me, good people, I'm bound for the promised land"

Notes

This is the only old-time song I know about embezzlement, making it hard to assign keywords. - PJS

Recordings

• Uncle Dave Macon, "We Are Up Against It Now" (Vocalion 5009, 1926)
• Uncle Dave Macon & Sam McGee, "Wreck of the Tennessee Gravy Train" (Okeh 45507, 1931; rec. 1930; on HardTimes2)
• New Lost City Ramblers, "Wreck of the Tennessee Gravy Train" (on NLCR09)