Discover the story of the song > The City of New Orleans – Arlo Guthrie

The protagonist is singing about riding on a train called The City of New Orleans with other passengers and mail. They travel through different places and come across things like trains, freight yards, and graveyards. Throughout the journey, the protagonist plays cards with old men, while mothers and their babies fall asleep to the rhythm of the rails. When the train reaches Memphis, they switch cars and continue on to their destination. The protagonist says goodbye to America and reminds them that he is their native son riding the train known as The City of New Orleans.