Here Comes the Freedom Train

"Here Comes the Freedom Train" is a song written by Stephen H. Lemberg, and recorded by American country music artist Merle Haggard and The Strangers. It was released in May 1976 as the first single from the album My Love Affair with Trains. "Here Comes the Freedom Train" peaked at number ten on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles chart.^[1] It reached number-one on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks in July 1976.

"Here Comes the Freedom Train"
Single by Merle Haggard and The Strangers
from the album My Love Affair with Trains
B-side	"I Won't Give Up My Train"
Released	May 17, 1976
Genre	Country
Label	Capitol
Songwriter(s)	Stephen H. Lemberg
Producer(s)	Ken Nelson
Merle Haggard and The Strangers singles chronology
"The Roots of My Raising" (1975) "Here Comes the Freedom Train" (1976) "Cherokee Maiden" (1976)

It was originally written for the country music duo of Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton, who recorded it with special guest Chet Atkins in RCA Studios for release in 1973 by the American Freedom Train Foundation. The 45 single of the recording was sold as a fund-raising item for the bicentennial trip Freedom Train took across the United States.^[2]

Content

The song is historical narrative of the United States, which was about to celebrate its Bicentennial.

Personnel

• Merle Haggard– vocals, guitar

The Strangers:

• Roy Nichols – lead guitar
• Norman Hamlet – steel guitar, dobro
• Tiny Moore – mandolin
• Eldon Shamblin– guitar
• Ronnie Reno – guitar
• Mark Yeary – piano
• James Tittle – bass
• Biff Adam – drums
• Don Markham – saxophone

Chart performance

Chart (1976)	Peak position
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[3]	10
Canadian RPM Country Tracks	1

See also

• List of train songs