In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Everybody calls me bo I got no money but I hold my row
Some folks say I'm just a no good guy
But I can ride for miles in old boxcar smoke cigarettes butts and used cigars
Ridin' the Atlantic Coastal Line
Hear that lonesome whistle whine smell that perfume of Georgia pines
See that big moon roll above this hobo's life is a life I love
Ridin' the Atlantic Coastal Line ridin' the Atlantic Coastal Line
Well I had me a woman in Albany but a rowdy way's made a wreck of me
And I had to get away before I lost my mind
But as long as this rattler takes me around there ain't one woman gonna tie me down
Ridin' the Atlantic Coastal Line
Hear that lonesome whistle whine Alabama and Caroline
Florida Georgia Tennessee a hobo's life is a life for me
Ridin' the Atlantic Coastal Line ridin' the Atlantic Coastal Line
I make my coffee in a can but this bo ain't worried man
Morning sun greets me with the shine
I go south when the trade winds blow and I go north where there ain't no snow
Ridin' the Atlantic Coastal Line
Hear that lonesome whistle whine smell that perfume of Georgia pines
See that big moon roll above this hobo's life is a life I love
Ridin' the Atlantic Coastal Line ridin' the Atlantic Coastal Line
Some folks say I'm just a no good guy
But I can ride for miles in old boxcar smoke cigarettes butts and used cigars
Ridin' the Atlantic Coastal Line
Hear that lonesome whistle whine smell that perfume of Georgia pines
See that big moon roll above this hobo's life is a life I love
Ridin' the Atlantic Coastal Line ridin' the Atlantic Coastal Line
Well I had me a woman in Albany but a rowdy way's made a wreck of me
And I had to get away before I lost my mind
But as long as this rattler takes me around there ain't one woman gonna tie me down
Ridin' the Atlantic Coastal Line
Hear that lonesome whistle whine Alabama and Caroline
Florida Georgia Tennessee a hobo's life is a life for me
Ridin' the Atlantic Coastal Line ridin' the Atlantic Coastal Line
I make my coffee in a can but this bo ain't worried man
Morning sun greets me with the shine
I go south when the trade winds blow and I go north where there ain't no snow
Ridin' the Atlantic Coastal Line
Hear that lonesome whistle whine smell that perfume of Georgia pines
See that big moon roll above this hobo's life is a life I love
Ridin' the Atlantic Coastal Line ridin' the Atlantic Coastal Line
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
The Atlantic Coastal Line Lyrics as written by Mel Tillis Fred B. Burch
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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