About the Song
Billy Joe Shaver and the Outlaw Country Anthem: A Deep Dive into “Georgia on a Fast Train”
In the annals of country music history, Billy Joe Shaver stands as a towering figure, a true outlaw who defied convention and carved his own path, leaving an indelible mark on the genre. With his gravelly voice, poetic lyrics, and rebellious spirit, Shaver epitomized the essence of outlaw country, a subgenre that emerged in the 1970s as a reaction to the perceived commercialization and sanitization of mainstream Nashville.
Shaver’s 1973 debut album, Old Five and Dimers Like Me, introduced the world to his unique brand of country music, and among its standout tracks was the now-legendary “Georgia on a Fast Train.” This hard-driving anthem, with its infectious melody and gritty storytelling, quickly became a favorite among fans and critics alike.
“Georgia on a Fast Train” is more than just a song; it’s a declaration of independence, a manifesto for those who refuse to conform to the status quo. The song’s narrator, a rough-and-tumble country boy, takes a trip to the big city, where he is immediately overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle, the materialism, and the phoniness. He longs for the simpler life he left behind, a life of hard work, honesty, and genuine connection.
The song’s lyrics are full of vivid imagery and poetic turns of phrase. Shaver paints a picture of the narrator’s journey, from the train ride to the city streets to the smoky bar where he ends up. He captures the narrator’s feelings of alienation and disillusionment, but also his underlying resilience and determination.
“Georgia on a Fast Train” is a timeless classic that continues to resonate with listeners today. It’s a song about the struggle between tradition and modernity, between the individual and society. It’s a song about the power of music to connect us to our roots and to each other.
Key takeaways:
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“Georgia on a Fast Train” is an outlaw country anthem that captures the spirit of rebellion and nonconformity.
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The song’s narrator is a rough-and-tumble country boy who is overwhelmed by the big city.
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The lyrics are full of vivid imagery and poetic turns of phrase.
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The song is a timeless classic that continues to resonate with listeners today.
Video
Lyrics
On a rainy, windy morning that’s the day that I was born on
In that old sharecroppers one room country shack
They say my mammy left me same day that she had me
Said, she hit the road and never once looked back
And now I just thought I’d mention my Grandma’s old age pension
Is the reason why I’m standing here today
I got all my country learning, millin’ and a churning
Pickin’ cotton, rasin’ hell, and bailin’ hay
I’ve been to Georgia on a fast train, honey
I wudn’t born no yesterday
Got a good Christian raisin’ and eighth grade education
Ain’t no need in y’all a treatin’ me this way
And now sweet Caroline, I don’t guess I’ll ever find
Another woman put together like you all
I love your wiggle in your walkin’ and your big city talkin’
Your brand new shiny Plymouth rag-top car
Hey, let’s hurry up and wait in this world of give and take
Seem like a haystack made for waste every time
And I pray to my soul when you hear those ages roll
You better know I’m gonna get my share of mine
And now, I’ve been to Georgia on a fast train, honey
I wudn’t born no yesterday
Got a good Christian raisin’ and eighth grade education
I ain’t no need in y’all a treatin’ me this way
Ah, throw down, Eddie
I’ve been to Georgia on a fast train, honey
I wudn’t born no yesterday
Got a good Christian raisin’ and eighth grade education
Ain’t no need in y’all a treatin’ me this way
Ain’t no need in y’all a treatin’ me this way