One of the all time greats for sure, although to be honest I think I prefer the Lonnie Donegan version. The lyrics (and it would nice if they were all there) tell the story of a train driver deceiving the guy collecting tolls; beyond that, what does it signify? It creates an image of the American south which is hugely evocative, and the sense of freedom and release contained in the gleeful description of the train driver's getaway suggest someone who screws the system and gets away with it; in that sense, it's about freedom, overcoming repression, and is perhaps even slightly revolutionary.
One of the all time greats for sure, although to be honest I think I prefer the Lonnie Donegan version. The lyrics (and it would nice if they were all there) tell the story of a train driver deceiving the guy collecting tolls; beyond that, what does it signify? It creates an image of the American south which is hugely evocative, and the sense of freedom and release contained in the gleeful description of the train driver's getaway suggest someone who screws the system and gets away with it; in that sense, it's about freedom, overcoming repression, and is perhaps even slightly revolutionary.