When America approached its Bicentennial in 1976, the country’s celebrations included the Freedom Train, two locomotives that visited all 48 contiguous states to give citizens a close-up view of important documents and artifacts.
In a nod to the attraction, Merle Haggard recorded “Here Comes the Freedom Train,” a song steeped in two centuries of history, on April 1, 1976. It entered Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart dated May 22 at No. 59, and would peak at No. 10 on the July 4 list.
The song was written by Stephen H. Lemberg, who had composed some theatrical pieces and wrote and produced a series of Spider-Man albums. “Freedom Train” used railroad metaphors to address America’s past — George Washington was the engineer, Benjamin Franklin the conductor. The song referenced 11 or 12 presidents (“Roosevelt” could mean Teddy and/or Franklin D.), several wars and movements, plus three more sociopolitical figures, including Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King.
Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton teamed to record it with Chet Atkins first for the American Freedom Train Foundation, but Haggard — already noted for the patriotic singles “Okie From Muskogee,” “The Fightin’ Side of Me” and “I Wonder If They Ever Think of Me” — recorded the version Capitol released to radio and retail.
Fifty years later, at least two country artists are participating in America’s Semiquincentennial. Trace Adkins will appear on PBS’ A Capitol Fourth: 250th Weekend Celebration on July 3 and Gretchen Wilson takes part in a Freedom 250 National Memorial Day Candlelight Tribute on May 25 at Arlington National Cemetery.
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