Freight Train
First recording by Peggy Seeger, Isla Cameron and Guy Carawan (July 10, 1957)
First release by The Seegers (1957)
- Written by
- Chas McDevitt, Bill Varley
- Originally written by
- Elizabeth Cotten
- Language
- English
- ISWC
-
T-011.017.485-0 BMI, ISWC
- Adapted from
-
Freight Train written by Elizabeth Cotten
- Tags
- disputed credits
- Comments
-
At first copyrighted by James & Williams, middle names and pseudonyms for Chas McDevitt and Bill Varley. The latter claims they couldn't find the publisher of the tune they heard Peggy Seeger play.
When Elizabeth Cotten's representative threatened to sue, the matter was settled out of court, the writing credit splits among Cotten, McDevitt and Varley.
This adaptation is sung about a third person on the run, whereas in Cotten's original work it's the first person who's fleeing. Some lyrics have been removed, others changed and some more added, like:
"Don't know where he's heading for
what he's done against the law
got no future got no hope
just nothing but the rope" - Published by
-
KASSNER ASSOCIATED PUBLISHERS LIMITED
GEMA
FIGS D MUSIC BMI
- Licensing
- Request a synchronization license
