"Freight Train" was written by Elizabeth Cotten when she was 11 or 12. After marrying and having a child, Cotten gave up music for many years. In 1945 she was hired as a domestic by the Seeger family and eventually started playing again. Peggy Seeger learnt "Freight Train" from her and took the song to the UK, where she played the song in folk clubs. Here it was heard by Chas McDevitt and Bill Varley, who copyrighted the song and recorded it with vocalist Nancy Whiskey.
First three verses - Freight train, freight train, run so fast Freight train, freight train, run so fast Please don't tell what train I'm on They won't know what route I'm going
When I'm dead and in my grave No more good times here I crave Place the stones at my head and feet And tell them all I've gone to sleep
When I die, oh bury me deep Down at the end of old Chestnut Street So I can hear old Number Nine As she comes rolling by
