Introduction:
Legends on the Rails: Rediscovering the Heartland Spirit in The Highwaymen – City of New Orleans
There are few things more quintessentially American than a train ride through the heartland, and even fewer musical acts better suited to tell its story than The Highwaymen. When these four titans of country music—Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and Kris Kristofferson—lent their legendary voices to the classic song The Highwaymen – City of New Orleans, they didn’t just cover a folk standard—they breathed new life into a national treasure.
Originally written by Steve Goodman and made famous by Arlo Guthrie in the 1970s, “City of New Orleans” is a tribute to the Illinois Central Railroad train of the same name. It’s a nostalgic, reflective journey through small towns, twilight landscapes, and fading Americana. In the hands of The Highwaymen, however, the song becomes more than a wistful look back—it becomes a shared moment of cultural remembrance, wrapped in the rich, weathered tones of four voices that have themselves witnessed the changing American landscape.
The arrangement is simple and elegant, rooted in acoustic guitars, subtle harmonies, and the steady rhythm of a train in motion. But it’s the vocal interplay that makes this rendition truly special. Each member of The Highwaymen brings a unique character: Cash’s gravitas, Nelson’s warmth, Jennings’ smooth confidence, and Kristofferson’s storytelling charm. Together, they don’t just sing City of New Orleans—they embody it.
What elevates The Highwaymen – City of New Orleans is how deeply it resonates with those who remember a different kind of America. It speaks to people who’ve watched towns change, industries vanish, and family farms fade into memory. The song’s chorus—“Good morning, America, how are you?”—isn’t just a greeting. It’s a question, a gentle check-in with a country that’s always on the move but sometimes forgets where it’s been.
For older listeners, the song offers a bridge to the past. For younger generations, it’s a reminder that music can be both simple and profound. In the end, this version of City of New Orleans stands as a testament not only to a great song but to the enduring power of musical brotherhood. It’s a journey well worth taking—again and again.