Track Listing
| 101 | An excerpt from "Rail Dynamics" | n/a |
|---|---|---|
| 106 | Linin' Track | Lead Belly |
| 107 | Freight Train | Elizabeth Cotten |
| 108 | Drill, Ye Tarriers, Drill | Cisco Houston |
| 109 | Zack, the Mormon Engineer | L. M. Hilton |
Why did they call them gandy dancers?
The term “gandy dancer” is allegedly a combination of the name of Chicago-based Gandy Manufacturing Company, a maker of track-lining tools, and the description of the railway workers' dancelike movements.
What was the nickname for immigrant railroad workers?
Nine out of 10 workers on the transcontinental railroad were Chinese. These indentured laborers, derogatorily called "coolies," became a prime target for criticism in the mid-19th century.
What kind of song is I’ve been working on the railroad?
American folk song"I've Been Working on the Railroad" is an American folk song.
Why were railroad songs created?
As tracks began to snake their way across the continent during the 1800s, songs were composed to hail the coming of the Iron Horse, and to tell the tales of the laborers whose sweat made it possible.
What is the purpose of the work song?
Work songs are typically sung for two reasons: to coordinate the labor of a group of people working together, which improves the efficiency of the work, and to relieve the boredom of a tedious job, which improves the lives of the workers.
What did the gandy dancers do while they worked?
Gandy dancers had other duties including driving spikes, moving and adjusting track ballasts, carrying rails, pulling weeds, unloading ties and rails, and replacing worn rails and rotten ties.
What do gandy dancers do?
Gandy dancer is a slang term used for early railroad workers in the United States, more formally referred to as "section hands", who laid and maintained railroad tracks in the years before the work was done by machines.
What were railroad workers called?
Gandy dancer is a slang term used for early railroad workers in the United States, more formally referred to as "section hands", who laid and maintained railroad tracks in the years before the work was done by machines.
Why did the railroad workers sing?
What are railroad employees called?
Locomotive engineers. Rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers. Railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers. Railroad conductors and yardmasters.
What is the nursery rhyme I’ve been working on the railroad?
I've been workin' on the railroad, All the live long day. I've been workin' on the railroad, Just to pass the time away. Don't you hear the whistle blowing? Rise up so early in the morn.
What did the slaves sing?
A slave would sing “Steal Away” when they were planning on escaping soon. “Sweet Chariot” was sung to let slaves know that they would be escaping soon. This was Harriet Tubman's favorite song. In the spring, they would sing “Follow the Drinking Gourd” to remind the slaves of the clues to find their way north.
What songs did slaves sing while working?
Songs From Slavery
| Religious Songs | Work Songs | Recreational Songs |
|---|---|---|
| Look Down that Long, Lonesome Road | Arwhoolie (Cornfield holler) | Shortnin' Bread |
| Run Old Jeremiah | Quittin' Time Song 2 | Bile Them Cabbage Down |
| Do, Lord, Remember Me | Mealtime Call | Rosey |
| House Done Built Without Hands | Hammer, Ring | Soldier's Joy |
Why did slaves sing work songs?
Agricultural work songsImprovisation provided singers with a subversive form of expression. Slaves sang improvised verses to mock their overseers, express frustrations, and share dreams of escaping. Many work songs served to create connection and familiarity between workers.
Why do people sing while working?
Singing during work comes naturally to most people. From the earliest times music has been a way to keep workers movements synchronized, reduce boredom, and increase productivity. Railway workers sang to keep track laying coordinated, Scottish women sang while fulling cloth, and African slaves sang in the field.
What are railroad workers called?
Locomotive engineers. Rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers. Railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers. Railroad conductors and yardmasters.
What’s the meaning of Gandy?
1. : a laborer in a railroad section gang. 2. : an itinerant or seasonal laborer.
Do male ballet dancers shave their bodies?
I have never seen a ballet male dancer with hair, especially on the backside. I use to shave my legs because I don't feel comfortable when I put my tights on or sweating them. Anyway, there are some parts of your body that it is better to consult a professional if you wanna remove your hair.
What is the guy in the caboose called?
When a caboose was used, usually the senior trainman rode in it. Historically, he was called the flagman or rear brakeman. The other trainman, the “brakeman” or “head brakeman,” rides the engine. Engineer. The engineer and his assistant (the fireman) are in a different chain of command than the rest of the crew.