This week's tune is another "train song" featuring a fast-moving mail train. "Fireball Mail" was written by Fred Rose, under the name "Floyd Jenkins." Rose was a prolific songwriter who worked closely with Roy Acuff--Rose also write "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain" (you can read more about him here.) This song was popularized by Acuff's recording of it in 1943. Acuff had this to say about it:
"It's a very good number, and it's done very well for me. A lot of the boys are still doing it today. I recorded it in 1943 in the key of A, but when I do it now, I have to do it down a couple of notes. I first thought it was written by a lady who was connected with Mr. Art Satherley, but I found out later, after I recorded it, that Fred [Rose] wrote it under the name Floyd Jenkins. I didn't know at first who 'Floyd Jenkins' was; it's easy to fool a country boy."
Banjo players, though, typically identify the song with Flatt & Scruggs' instrumental version of it on their amazing 1961 "Foggy Mountain Banjo" album.
Both Acuff and Scruggs' versions can be heard in the playlist to the right.
Typically played in the key of A.
Lyrics
Here she comes look at her roll there she goes eatin' that coal
Watch her fly huggin' the rails let her by by by it's the fireball mail
Let her go look at her steam hear her blow whistle and scream
Like a hound a waggin' his tail Dallas bound bound boud it's the fireball mail
Engineer makin' up time tracks are clear look at her climb
See that freight clearin' the rail bet she's late late late it's the fireball mail
Watch her swerve look at her sway get that curve out of the way
Watch her fly look at her sail let her by by by that's the fireball mail
Now lere she comes look at her roll there she goes eatin' that coal
Watch her fly huggin' the rails let her by by by the fireball mail
Let her by by by the fireball mail
Learn the Tune:
Hear It using the GrooveShark playlist to the right.
Hey bobskart, I think if you'll play the tract your wanting then you can click on the button that appears on the media player screen to download the mp3.
Is there a way to save these backing tracks for easy use to your computer?
Yep. In Windows I created a new folder in "My Music" which I called Backing Tracks. I then launched the backing track. While it's playing I right click the Download MP3 link and left click Save Link As.... You may have to choose the correct folder to initially save the file but after that I find it will choose the correct folder on subsequent saves. I also rename the file at that point. Hope that helps. If you're using Apple I'm sure the steps are similar even if they may be named differently.
Quite right ...Jack p.s. I'm always amazed at how hard Bill Evans can pick. He nails it almost through the wood...great stuff pps. I love Russ Carson's playing--so clean and good tone.
Originally posted by Tom Robison
Originally posted by RioStat
Earl looked fairly bored in that old Martha White video..........however, as usual, he was flawless!!
Not quite flawless.....check out the sly grins from Cousin Jake and Uncle Josh right after Earl flubs the opening slide. Wonderful stuff nonetheless.
Is there a way to save these backing tracks for easy use to your computer?
Yep. In Windows I created a new folder in "My Music" which I called Backing Tracks. I then launched the backing track. While it's playing I right click the Download MP3 link and left click Save Link As.... You may have to choose the correct folder to initially save the file but after that I find it will choose the correct folder on subsequent saves. I also rename the file at that point. Hope that helps. If you're using Apple I'm sure the steps are similar even if they may be named differently.
Yes. Same process. Different keys.
Usually, it's Control-Click (not to be confused with Command-Click). Though some Mac users have altered their Settings to have a Right-Click.
HOWEVER I can't get this to work with the icons for these backing tracks. My mac wants to copy or download the "image" (the icon) but not the underlying file (the MP3).
But I discovered an easy way for anyone to download the tracks!
Just go to Eric's profile page. Click the "Music" tab above his photo. A whole page of all the music he has uploaded will appear. Just scroll to the name of the track yoou want to download and click the "download" link in its entry! As long as he has enabled or allowed downloading of the track, that link will be there.
...Jack p.s. I'm always amazed at how hard Bill Evans can pick. He nails it almost through the wood...great stuff pps. I love Russ Carson's playing--so clean and good tone.
