About the song
“Georgia on a Fast Train,” originally titled “I Been to Georgia on a Fast Train,” is a signature song by outlaw country singer-songwriter Billy Joe Shaver. It first appeared on his 1973 debut album “Old Five and Dimers Like Me.” The song gained some traction reaching number 88 on the U.S. Billboard’s country chart that year. In 1994, Shaver re-released the song with a shorter title, “Georgia on a Fast Train,” but this version didn’t make the charts.
Despite not being a chart-topping hit, “Georgia on a Fast Train” became a beloved classic within the outlaw country genre. Shaver’s live performances of the song, like the one at Farm Aid 1994, are well-regarded [YouTube Billy Joe Shaver – Georgia on a Fast Train (Live at Farm Aid 1994)].
Lyrics
The lyrics of “Georgia on a Fast Train” paint a vivid picture of a restless wanderer riding a train through the Southern landscape. Shaver sings of longing, hard living, and a touch of rebellion.
Here’s an excerpt that captures the essence of the song:
I been to Georgia on a fast train Sixteen coaches long and a hurricane rain I been workin’ for a man, wages low and mean But I’m headin’ back south where the grass is green
Themes
- Restlessness and Escape: The train journey symbolizes the narrator’s desire to escape a monotonous life and find freedom on the open road.
- The South: Georgia, a Southern state, represents a place of familiarity and comfort for the narrator, contrasting with the harsh realities of his work.
- Hard Living: The song hints at the narrator’s blue-collar life and the struggles that come with it.
- Rebellion: There’s a subtle undercurrent of defiance in the lyrics, particularly in the line “wages low and mean,” suggesting the narrator isn’t content with the status quo.
Overall, “Georgia on a Fast Train” is a quintessential outlaw country song that celebrates freedom, Southern identity, and a touch of rebellion against a tough life.