“Chugging Along” - a song about compatibility
Missouri sounds like misery… but it’s a really nice state, I promise.
**I took this picture in GA actually… but it was a train and it matched the song. Just use your imagination.
Story Pairing
I recently played a show in Buffalo, MO. It was a lovely time for lovely people. I actually got into town a few days early and they put me up in a little cottage just outside of Springfield, MO. I had been driving plenty up to that point, and had also just fixed a flat tire, so I wasn’t itching to do a lot of exploring. That, coupled with some rain, and it was a perfect recipe to stay indoors and watch the western channel! Being in an area with some rich history in cowboys and trains and nature, watching only westerns just felt right.
I am really in love with western culture. It’s the perfect match of rugged toughness, practical garments, love and respect for the outdoors, and some great music. If I could get away with it I would love to wear a cowboy hat… but for me it would be a costume. I’m particular about drawing a line when it comes to clothing. I personally wear a lot of hiking clothes, but I actually hike. I’m not playing a character. I occasionally yearn to play dress up as a cowboy as I see so many other acts out there do…. but it’s not genuine, so it’s not for me. That said, if I ever get a horse, I will be wearing a cowboy hat 24/7 and you can fight me.
In one of the movies they were talking about the Queen City and a train heading there. Being from Ohio, I thought of Cincinnati right away. Turns out that Springfield, MO holds the nickname “The Queen City of the Ozarks”. I did a little reading on the town and how it got it’s name. My fav little fact was how a kindred spirit, James Wilson, who lived in the new settlement, offered free whiskey to anyone who would vote for the name Springfield. He was from Springfield, MA and wanted the name to carry on in a new place I guess.
So after watching 5-6 westerns** I had enough fodder to put something together.
a city nickname
the name of a saloon
countless examples of cowboys leaving a loving partner for the open trail
the word “steam billy” for a train, which is one of the best nicknames ever
a state name that sounds like the state of mind one would be in experiencing heartache
A little side note, the commercials on the western channel are horrible. They are clearly targeted at an older demographic and a ton of them are life insurance companies. I’m out of the commercial game, but I was surprised how unabashedly direct they were with fear tactics. It was gross. So many were warning older people not to be a burden to their families and get life insurance, once even said not to even bother your family with the decision and just call the number on the screen… I hated them. I wanted to tell anyone watching “you aren’t a burden, and don’t hesitate to talk to your loved ones first, don’t call that sleazy, money hungry company”… the fine print that they showed at the end of the commercials filled the whole damn TV screen. I have a feeling they do something shady… rant over.
**My favorite of the ones I watched was one called “The Big Trees”. It’s a 1952 film about a quaker colony trying to save giant sequoias from a timber baron. It was fun to watch such an old film with a conservation forward message. There have been people fighting for the beautiful Mother Earth for a while, that feels nice.
Video Notes:
I took this video in the Francis Marion National Forest. I was staying at an off-grid swamp-house owned by one of the venues I was playing at that week. It was so badass to be right in the middle of such a different sort of landscape. Swamps are a little spooky, but absolutely full of surprises. I’m a big fan.
Thank you to the folks on Patreon for privately funding these videos that everyone get’s to enjoy. MVPs!
Song Structure
Chords:
Verse - A / E7 / A / A / E7 / A
Chorus - D7 / A / E7 / A
Voice Memos
Notebook Page
Feb 2024
Lyrics
200 miles from the Queen City
That's Springfield for you, Missouri
Come on, chugging along
Said she didn't want to go with me
Hates the rambling life I lead
So long, chugging along
Got me a show in Nashville, Tennessee
And it pays just fine
But I'd rather be, in Missouri
Chugging on the railroad line
Met her dancing at the lucky lady
She called me sugar, I called her baby
A song, chugging along
Said she wants to settle down
In Webster Grove or Joplin town
What's wrong, with chugging along
Got me a show in LA California
And it pays just fine
But I'd rather be, in Missouri
Chugging on the railroad line
Solo
Got me a show in New York City, New York
And it pays just fine
But I'd rather be, in Missouri
Chugging on the railroad line
Said our goodbyes at Main and Mill
All aboard it hurts me still
Stay strong, chugging along
A steam billy and an old guitar
A full knapsack and the northern star
Where I belong, chugging along
Got me a show in Cleveland, Ohio
And it pays just fine
But I'd rather be, in Missouri
Chugging on the railroad line