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I've Been Working on the Railroad
I've been working on the railroad,
All the livelong day.
I've been working on the railroad
Just to pass the time away
Can't you hear the whistle blowing?
Rise up so early in the morn.
Can't you hear the captain shouting,
Dinah, blow your horn.
Dinah, won't you blow,
Dinah, won't you blow,
Dinah, won't you blow your horn?
Dinah, won't you blow,
Dinah, won't you blow,
Dinah, won't you blow your horn?
Someone's in the kitchen with Dinah,
Someone's in the kitchen I know.
Someone's in the kitchen with Dinah,
Strumming on the old banjo, and singing,
Fie, fi, fiddly i o,
Fie, fi, fiddly i o,
Fie, fi, fiddly i o,
Strumming on the old banjo. |
Origin
“I’ve Been Working on the Railroad” was first published as “Levee Song” in the Princeton University songbook, Carmina Princetoria, in 1894. However, the “Someone’s in the kitchen with Dinah” section was published on its own as “Old Joe, or Somebody in the House With Dinah” in London in the early 19th century. The music for the “Dinah” section was credited to J.H. Cave, but may have been adapted from the tune “Farewell, Ladies” by E.P. Christy (1847). The complete song was first recorded by the Sandhills Sixteen in 1927. |
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