Merle Haggard - Silver Ghost

[@matthewwright5835]

30 years ago my dad came home with a tape cassette that had classics train songs he was a train engineer for Chicago northwestern at the time and has since retired from union pacific. I thought I would never hear this song again after I lost the tape.

[@mikes2381]

Dan Tyminsky (from Alison Krauss) did a great cover of it too. Edit: sorry Wildwood Valley Boys.

[@Hagfan789]

Merle Haggard famously wrote and performed this song about a ghost train that fell down a ravine and wrecked while trying to send rescue aid to a cave-in 50 years prior and it appears when a cave-in occurs in a nearby mine. Released 1976 on Merle's "My Love Affair with Trains".

[@jandeband]

Thanks, i didnt realize he wrote it

[@jimsinclair56]

And 50 years later, this song still sends chills up and down my spine...

[@lindseywalker6925]

A boy from Indiana, Tony Holt does it better than Merle.........Look him up! Its current.

[@bryansaunter4124]

This song is from his album, my love affair with trains, had the cassette in the 70’s. Cabover truck 4 speakers , the train whistle would move around the cab. His song help keep me awake on longer trips. Thanks for posting

[@justinstearns9723]

I’ve always loved Merle but I hadn’t heard this song until recently, when my girlfriend played a newer version of it when we were on a road trip. I liked it, so I looked it up and was surprised to find Merle did it first. Gives me chills every time I hear it but I love it.

[@Dix424USA4]

Merle is my hero, met him years ago. Love his music, ty for this awesome song. I wish i knew you when I was selling my ancient LOL vinyl collection of the greats in Country Music. I have CDs now that i've collected for many years.. still have classics, but hard to find music is right here.. ty so much

[@Hagfan789]

Classic tune from Merle..Gotta love a spooky train song

[@Beagslie76]

I can't "like" this enough. Thank you for posting it. I have been searching for it a long time. My dad used to sing this to me and my sister at bedtime.

[@beckyransom5504]

I have loved this song for sometime, but to find it by “the Hag” makes it even better!

[@garydaltonolecountrymusic2711]

This man never seizes to amaze me. Another Merle Classic. Thank you sir.

[@bobbeck5866]

ceases

[@oldermusiclover]

love this song

[@shirleyjennings5787]

Awesome!

[@nina1823]

Great song, love it.

[@MustGrill]

We sang this song so many while in the US Navy.

[@broganmoffet7173]

Merle could sing the phone book and I'd listen

[@jennifursun3303]

love this song. have heard from some who say they have seen this train

[@brad04970]

I was told they only sold 10,000 of these records, Well I still have Mine from 1976 Thanks for up-loading this is a Great song.

[@jeannettecoxe6251]

yes always gives me chills

[@hollyolson8048]

💘 this song...thanks ...

[@Lumotaku]

Thank you for posting this i love this song because my mom used to play merle all the time when I was little. How many songs are out there about ghost trains??? way to go

[@wadecuch3742]

great song...

[@Alexanderthegreat126]

Thank you for posting, I have been searching all of youtube for this song for what seems like forever.

[@trishbirchard1270]

wish he'd come knocking on our door.

[@annemariehaugland3979]

love Merle's trainsongs

[@roncornell4345]

You got to love that song that is a beer drinking song right there

[@dannydimitt]

Found this record in the library at Osan Air Base in Korea in 78, made a tape of it but it died years ago. Thanks so much for posting this !

[@chiconian49]

Thanks.

[@melin520]

On a cold and rainy night I was sittin' in the light Of my switchman shack of mine post on the mountain The storms were pretty bad and the telephone was dead But it was just eleven hours till the dawn. Then much to my surprice the telegraph jumped in the light As I read the code I thought could this be true The train was on its way headed up to mountain grade But she didn't have no engineer or crew. At the other switch they tried to put her on the mountain side But she kept on coming up the mountain grade But I quickly dowse the light to try to see into the night Maybe I could spot her headlight in the rain. She was poundin' down below I could hear her whistle blow And I thought Lord that's a high and mournful sound Then the telegraph again there's a caving at the mine And the hundred men have burried 'neath the ground. ******************* Lord, she's coming out I see around the bend and straight at me And her ballet is glowin' red as coal in hell The headlinght switchin' wide searchin' all the mountain side But the only sound she's making is a wail. Then I recognized the train by the number and the name It's the miners Silver Ghost 0-40-1 Then she vanished up the track by the lonely switchman shack Like a mother who was looking for her son. Now I heard the story how an engine went to glory Over fifty years ago in the same line It was steaming for the caving there were men needed saving But it missed the curve in trestle near the mine. And every now and then you'll hear a whistle on the wind It's from mountail slides and many men are lost It's a high and lonely wail and searching up and down the mountain It's the train they call the Miners Silver Ghost. The train they call the Miners Silver Ghost. The train they call the Miners Silver Ghost.....

[@douglasellington5077]

Thoughts of "Big Iron" and ''El Paso" by Marty (little of Ghost Riders), yet a totally different story.

[@MrJCIRELAND]

How many recordings has the great Merle to his name?,such a prolific genius,thanks for sharing.

[@bennyh4950]

Yep, pure genius and a major influence on others such as another american songwriter genius mr Ronnie VanZant from Lynyrd Skynyrd. "The Hag" was ronnies favorite country singer and his biggest influence. At ronnies funeral in 1977 they played ronnie's favorite song, one of merle's best, I Take A Lot Of Pride In What I Am. There will never be another ronnie or merle.

[@RaincloudmusicTFS6]

Who's the first guitarist heard on this tune?! Is that Grady Martin?!!! Somebody let me know?! Thanks!

[@CodexandCo.]

I have the Monty Mills version of this. Both of these are good

[@oldermusiclover]

wonder who played the steel on this song

[@wraithandfriendsproductions]

awsome song, that lads cover versions sweet to if you can hang in 40 odd secs past the bizzar solo lol

[@JoeVance77]

can I use this song in my movie?

[@jennifursun3303]

+Joe Vance you would have to ask the writter and probably record company

[@tinam.marrone5573]

[@tammykimble7249]

I have no engineer bill LoL danger ⚠️ dign

[@tammykimble7249]

I never have to enter ever inu life on it also no body to touch me rules on it

[@tammykimble7249]

Not supposed to play this could cause danger

[@ytubepuppy]

If you like this song, may I recommend this version: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p4emi4WHgcuejdE

[@Wanderingsage7]

The miner's reaper. Reaper ease the harvest.

[@JustALad]

I view her as a guardian angel, sent to help those in danger, to make up for the time she failed. Either by request or by curse, that's what I believe her purpose on earth to be.

[@MustGrill]

We sang this song so many times while in the US Navy.