Jimmie Rodgers had a great affection for the railroads and the men who
ran them and during the years he worked on the roads He spent most of
the time with the New Orleans and Northeastern lines which ran between
his home town of Meridian Mississippi and New Orleans.
And Jimmie became able to talk in the language of the railroaders
Like such expressions as hog-head and hot-box quil ball in the jack skinner
always filled his conversation and he wrote songs about these men and
their language.
The mule skinner was usually a man with a mule who hired himself
And his mule out by the day to do whatever had to be done
He might drag ties and rails or he might just move freshly cut timber from
the right of way the mule skinner was the subject of one of Jimmie
Rodgers's most popular blue yodles...
"Narration #3" is a song by Merle Haggard from his album "Same Train, A Different Time: Merle Haggard Sings The Great Songs of Jimmie Rodgers." The album was released in 1969 and is a tribute to the legendary country singer Jimmie Rodgers. Haggard's rendition of "Narration #3" captures the essence of Rodgers' love for railroads and the men who worked on them.
The song, as the title suggests, is a narration rather than a traditional lyrical song. It tells the story of Jimmie Rodgers' connection to the railroads and the language of the railroaders. Jimmie Rodgers spent several years working on the New Orleans and Northeastern lines, which ran between his hometown of Meridian, Mississippi, and New Orleans. During this time, he became familiar with the unique language and expressions used by the railroad workers.
Haggard's rendition of "Narration #3" pays homage to Rodgers' fascination with railroads and the men who ran them. The song transports the listener back to a time when the railroads were a vital part of daily life, and the mule skinner played an essential role. A mule skinner was a person who hired himself and his mule to do various tasks on the railroad, such as dragging ties and rails or moving timber from the right of way.
The lyrics of the song, although minimal, encapsulate the spirit of the railroad workers and their language. Expressions like "hog-head" (a term for a locomotive engineer), "hot-box" (a term for a wheel bearing overheating), and "quil ball in the jack" (referring to a train traveling at high speed) were common in the railroaders' conversation. Through these lyrics, Haggard pays tribute to Rodgers' ability to incorporate the language of the railroaders into his songs.
In the Bible, there are several verses that relate to the theme of "Narration #3" and the connection between work and language. One such verse is Colossians 3:23, which says, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters." This verse encourages us to give our best in our work, just as the railroad workers did. It reminds us that our work can be an act of worship when done wholeheartedly.
Another verse that relates to the theme of the song is Proverbs 16:3, which says, "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans." This verse reminds us that when we dedicate our work to God, He will guide and establish our plans. It echoes the dedication and commitment of the mule skinners and railroad workers who gave their all in their daily tasks.
"Narration #3" by Merle Haggard is not just a song but a tribute to a bygone era and the men who made the railroads come alive. Through his rendition, Haggard captures the spirit of Jimmie Rodgers and his love for the railroad workers and their language. The song reminds us of the importance of hard work, dedication, and the power of language. It takes us on a journey back in time and allows us to appreciate the rich history and culture of the railroads.
