On the Railroad (The Longest Johns) Cover

[@Nmc01236]

Lyrics for anyone interested: Give me a spade and I'll give you a hole (Way-oh on the railroad) Dirt on my brow, but steel in my soul (Way-oh on the railroad) Picking up coal and we're picking up speed Shovel as much as the engine needs Sweat and blood gonna earn my pay All the way to Frisco Bay Blowing through hills, tryna make up time (Way-oh on the railroad) Ain't nothing gonna stand in the way of our line (Way-oh on the railroad) Picking up coal and we're picking up speed Shovel as much as the engine needs Ain't no slave but we slave away All the way to Frisco Bay Bossman says that a mile-a-day's the pace (Way-oh on the railroad) I'll make two for the look on his face (Way-oh on the railroad) Picking up coal and we're picking up speed Shovel as much as the engine needs Ain't no slave but we slave away All the way to Frisco Bay Surveyors tryna plan which route is best (Way-oh on the railroad) Just draw a straight line from east to west (Way-oh on the railroad) Picking up coal and we're picking up speed Shovel as much as the engine needs Ain't no slave but we slave away All the way to Frisco Bay We spare no quarter and we'll spare no man (Way-oh on the railroad) Just pray we don't run into the Cheyenne (Way-oh on the railroad) Picking up coal and we're picking up speed Shovel as much as the engine needs Sweat and blood gonna earn my pay All the way to Frisco Bay Picking up coal and we're picking up speed Shovel as much as the engine needs Ain't no slave but we slave away All the way to Frisco Bay Picking up coal and we're picking up speed Shovel as much as the engine needs If I should fall, leave me where I lay On the railway to Frisco Bay

[@Rawilow]

Thank you

[@VulcanWolf]

Bless ya. There's a couple words I didn't quite catch, so this helps.

[@bdavis7801]

Thank you!

[@Samekl]

Thanks I was looking for it

[@gamerfan8445]

Boss man say a Mallet is the pace

[@sonyahannah]

Excellent "tone poem": the song does what the words say, speeding up as the engine gains speed.

[@crestfallensunbro6001]

its a really great effect when you're playing a train sim game and your train is also picking up speed

[@ColtonRMagby]

The only thing missing is a ritardando when the train slows down.

[@sonyahannah]

@@ColtonRMagby GREAT idea!

[@maxocato5251]

"way oh" can signal the noise a train makes

[@Zordboy]

Yeah, it's my favourite part of the song, it's brilliant.

[@JBirdBobbyJ]

Not only do I enjoy Colm's content. But I also enjoy watching him grow as a musician and content creator.

[@amandaleeborchert3745]

Absolutely!😎

[@karlowens3045]

I enjoy seeing the change in facial hair between videos.

[@amandaleeborchert3745]

@@karlowens3045 Me too!😊😊

[@hansdomke89]

He has grown and learned a lot in the past year or so

[@grimwriter9763]

Heeeyyy it's my favorite folk singer covering a song from my other favorite folk singers!!! Colm's thunderous bass on this magnificent song? Fantabulous--which I say confidently without even having heard it yet, lol.

[@sophiemurphy7602]

Lol same :) :)

[@Adahy_Bullet]

Saaaame

[@Steephydra653]

only 2 sames wow

[@swimorek8818]

Sameee

[@pineapplepenumbra]

This version was better than I expected. I need to download it from somewhere.

[@rationalityrules]

Everything you touch turns to gold, lad! And if it's already gold, you make it sparkle like a brand new figurehead

[@caleb1450]

For real man he just needs to be called "King Midas" the one with a golden touch

[@rextheroyalist6389]

Cringe Atheist Moment

[@someone-nf3ui]

perfect analogy good sir

[@Kai01191-t]

He forgot the HUAH and the AYYAE that are spread thought the song otherwise 9 out of 10 very well done

[@walkerwriter1278]

To my dearest and Longest Johns: Just accept this man to your ranks already

[@jantokarski1623]

The ultimate collab

[@TransientWitch]

@@siolfur1777 I dunno, the lads would probably be up for it if Colm is? They're a fun bunch and I'm sure they'd love to! It's pretty typical for creative types to wait for the other to ask, though, so it may not just from that

[@KingOreo2017]

Didn’t the longest johns lose a member the other day? If so it totally could happen lol

[@gellertgrindelwald7171]

YESSSSS!!!

[@Lichessdude128]

​@@lizardmage2382still no problem eh?

[@xx_penelope_x6192]

I got 3 feet of snow and went out to shovel and was playing your sea shanties, across the street neighbor heard and said it was really good music. He came over to help and asked who was singing so I said who it was and he loves it, I love sharing your music with people, it's so good!

[@bellerain381]

Now THAT is a good story!!! ❤❤ Sharing music at its finest!!!

[@W31rdog]

Someday, when Longest Johns and Colm sings together would be a Main EvenT🤩

[@ColmRMcGuinness]

We’re gonna need a bigger boat!

[@W31rdog]

@@ColmRMcGuinness Already built good Sir, our rythm-taps on the deck will cause the ocean to vibrate, boune 'n jump from the britisch Coast through to caribbean bays✊❤️

[@evensollie9594]

@@ColmRMcGuinness Is the bigger boat the Northumbria?

[@mosesknerl6681]

Hahaha, I just discovered Longest Johns yesterday.

[@K3Sk3]

@@evensollie9594 bigger than the irish rover even??????

[@thatonetrashcan1681]

My friends discovering Colm: There's no autotune, no other singers, no backing tracks of any kind... It's just him. Me: And that's enough.

[@ColmRMcGuinness]

💜💜💜

[@arch357]

more than enough

[@christofferthorsson607]

what do you mean just him, there are several of him, like Colm, angry Colm, thunder god Colm, happy Colm, violin Colm and guitar Colm.

[@Piratenbraut]

@@christofferthorsson607 Don't forget the elusive banjo Colm!

[@arch357]

@@christofferthorsson607 but thats colm at the end of the day lol

[@Ardizel]

When I was around 8-9 I remember I was riding a train where this older gentleman probably around his 60s at the time sang this song. Once he finished everyone started applauding which started his, guess he didn't realize he was singing or thought he wasn't that good for applause. Hearing this brought back this memory, thank you so much for bringing back such a fun memory from my childhood

[@saintariser8507]

This song is an original from the Longest John's...

[@maeborowski3356]

@@saintariser8507 doesn’t mean a 60 year old couldn’t have heard it, besides it’s an 8 year old song, op could very well be 17 now and still have heard an old man sing it back when they were 9

[@aceospades6570]

@@saintariser8507 I just looked it up and the original was released back in 2016 (June 17th, to be exact). If Callahan heard it around that time, that would make them 14-15 at the time of their comment (late 2021 - mid 2022). Perfectly reasonable for them to have heard it then

[@saintariser8507]

@@aceospades6570 That is very interesting only problem being that it's been 11 months and I no longer could care any less

[@caderiddle5996]

Well aren’t you a drop of sunshine

[@lorddloram2332]

Another crazy masterpiece! Would like to hear you sing roll northumbria.

[@d4re416]

So true

[@NYMR-Pacific]

That Would Be Awesome!

[@camerondiflo3828]

I would to hear roll Northumbria

[@OhioWolf94]

heck yea! he'd be awesome with that!

[@sarahtoball2606]

Please?!

[@meghancowens8995]

When Colm finds a way to embody and find the rhythm of a train so beautifully it makes your heart follow the beat.

[@allovergamer3484]

I LOVE how you let the Accent come out It reminds me of the Irish who sadly lost their lives due to Westward Expansion This Fucking Epic Dude, And Paints A Movie-like Picture in My Mind Keep it Up Dude. Love Your Content

[@SilverKappa]

Always loved the steady rise of intensity in this song, and your version did it flawlessly.

[@arch357]

i actually did not even realize that the song was increasing till 1:50 lol

[@pyrotech7986]

Kinda imitates the way train engine used to pick up speed. Coal and steam powered ones specifically

[@ST0AT]

Me and the boys recreating the Union Pacific Railroad in Minecraft

[@CheeryShine320]

I found this channel because of the Longest Johns so its serendipitous to hear a cover of their song!

[@TheTracksideOutback]

I truly want this on apple music or spotify or soundclound, somewhere. This is the best version out there!

[@Zebra-pv5uw]

The beat progressively getting quicker almost sounds like an old train gaining speed as it chugs along the rails. Love this song keep up the awesome work on these works of art

[@douglasparkinson4123]

thats the point, sergeant

[@Engieman909]

@@douglasparkinson4123 let's goooo! Been awhile since I seen another person use that meme

[@eradian1]

Was literally just listening to this and see it's premiering in 4 seconds... pog

[@catchingphoenixrtr]

Happy POGust :)

[@cerridwenrowan]

Oh wow....... Absolutely mastery... I can feel myself rocking with the motion of the train, feel the grit of the coal as the shovel bites in.... And those harmonies....oooofffff! You have excelled yourself Colm

[@impishDullahan]

Colm and Longest Johns? Hell yes! Honestly surprised this didn't come sooner since Colm owns it so well.

[@RadiantNova159]

Same

[@thomasmcginley7944]

This version is probably my new favorite, I love the hammer swings in time with the tempo! I picture a track gang laying a line through the Rocky Mountains on their way to the meeting point at Promontory Summit. A gang of freed slaves from the South, Chinese looking for gold & Irish immigrants who escaped the Famine. All working side by side singing this tune as they blast through mountains for tunnels, building bridges, lay ballist, rails & obviously drive spikes.

[@Mechabang]

Hell on wheels.

[@eldermillennial8330]

I love songs about those people. “The Last Spike” is my favorite Genesis song.

[@SmolGui]

Now we need a Longest Johns cover of The Last Length.

[@robertroutier99]

He did that already, tho?

[@eragon1510]

@@robertroutier99 He means The Longest Johns should cover Colm's new original song The Last Length.

[@etopsirhc]

this version of the song for some reason makes me picture a steam punk mecha army battling their way to a heavily fortified but barely holding out frisco bay through hoards of massive monsters.

[@SpeedyWheelzOfficial]

Been a fan of TLJ for a few years now, great to see you cover their song and doing it so well too!!!

[@ihavekalashnikovyoudomath9275]

Anyone else adding the extra voices in the original themselves? The little cry that mimics a train whistle that picks up the pace. The Indian mouth call when they mention the Cheyenne

[@Neutronstar-0603]

Love listening to this on loop and increasing the speed each loop. 2x speed is nice.

[@phenex1818]

My neighbor wasn't too pleased when I started pounding on my table to match the rhythm of this song.

[@brennanlangless8912]

This song is so good the pace makes you feel like you’re up in the train cab with the conductor and the tender man as they’re singing this song to the pace of their train tryin to keep on time with no delays

[@POTC_Oscarandfriens2.0]

thanks for getting this song stuck in my head. now my happiness has returned.

[@ilikeminecraftgaming9331]

I swear I remember my grandma singing me this song when I was around five-six and was just starting to discover Thomas And Friends,I remember thoroughly enjoying this song.

[@HaileyKful]

Amazing!!! You can almost imagine hitting those railway spikes into the ground to this song, I love it!

[@razagan1343]

This + Frostpunk = better then any drug

[@arch357]

seriously, i could listen to this song forever you have done a fantastic job ngl

[@camerondiflo3828]

I am super exited to hear this and am 100 percent going to add another song to my Playlist.

[@ANNEKE1999]

And here I am, cleaning dishes on a camping site. This song brought me somewhere else and suddenly all the dishes were clean. Thanks for speeding the boring work up! 😅

[@CRGambit]

absolutely beautiful! literally got chills

[@KennTennwhistlepig]

Please do “come out ye Black and Tans”! That would be amazing!

[@d4re416]

Sounds controversial

[@J-LucaR]

@@d4re416 maybe a collab with Seth Staton? That should sidestep some possibly unwanted connotations... I think, the song would fit his artistic style incredibly well.

[@KennTennwhistlepig]

@@d4re416 England wrongfully invaded and murdered many since the 17th century at least. Pretty honest lyrics.

[@Content_Deleted]

Yes! I would love to see a cover for this song!

[@sgt.killjoy7466]

Yo, we gotta tell you something

[@forexed8948]

I enjoyed this most when I got to listen to it on old Big Boy

[@arttops2563]

My Lord this is brilliant! Pls for all of us collab with the Longest Johns, it will make me and no doubt your fans die of awe and happiness!

[@carolstrachan4197]

I'm on a "Colm fest" right now. Can't get enough of your music. From yer wee Scottish lass. 🇮🇪💚🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿💙

[@tombobadil1982]

Not me analyzing the faces trying to figure out which one is singing the bass part. Glad I discovered you, really been enjoying your music. Keep it up!

[@alexkroeker5425]

Wow. Fully did not expect a love song from this. Nice.

[@bear470]

I don't know how many times I've listened to this since I found it but by God I can't get enough. Makes me long for the days of steam railroading. Fantastic cover sir

[@Vargavinter83]

Aw man, I really need to turn off that feature that plays the next vid. Was enjoying the chat after the premiere and suddenly wasn't there anymore. This song is awesome! Love that it keeps "picking up speed" with each verse!

[@OgMango_II]

rediscovered this masterpiece. great song covered by an even greater singer.

[@hay_hat_pirate3305]

My nephew was singing this song so damn much and for some reason this is on reccomed

[@nicholaselliott339]

Fun times! Once more an interested phenomenon to try and watch triplets and see if you can determine who is who. I think they eyebrow motions give it away :). Thanks for the song Colm!

[@Markhayday-h4i]

The railroad tracks are laid with the blood and sweat of thousands, both in the u.s. and canada

[@brianbommarito3376]

The quality for this performance is so good, I wish it were the intro song for a TV show. It transports me to a whole different world every time I hear it. I close my eyes, and I can see the sights and sunsets, hear the sounds of hammers and nails and shovels, even smell the mixture of sweat and engine grease and the heat of the burning coal fire of a steam locomotive crossing the country and continent during the height of the Old West and the dawn of the Industrial Revolution.

[@donaldstowe8725]

Truly remarkable! Not only is the vocals impressive, what a challenge it would be to be in sync with the rhythm, and all the changes. Well done Colm

[@ColmRMcGuinness]

Cheers mate! Logic Pro X lets you automate tempo changes that your metronome will automatically sync to, so I can’t take all the credit there 😂

[@donaldstowe8725]

@@ColmRMcGuinness Well. Either way. You nailed it

[@bjohanns2002]

@@ColmRMcGuinness Hi Colm, when you'te done compiling your next album, would you mind to give us a "behind the scenes" glimpse into your work and routines. I would find this super interresting. You're very versatile, putting all this together, from idea, over composition, instrumental and vocal takes, arrangement, production and video rendition. You seem to be super efficient in your workflow, given, that you produce one video per week in average... that's no small achievement, and I would like to see our bard at work... thanks for your hard work! Greetings from FRG, Bernd

[@benhall4099]

Chills, just chills holy hell I would kill for a voice like yours my man!

[@PeacefulKrahang]

Leave some talent for the rest of us lol. Love it and can't wait for the next 1.

[@idontknoq4813]

Lyrics (courtesy of genius lyrics): Give me a spade, and I'll give you a hole (hole!) (Way-oh on the railroad) Dirt on my brow, but steel in my soul (Way-oh on the railroad) Picking up coal and we're picking up speed Shovel as much as the engine needs Sweat and blood gonna earn my pay All the way to Frisco Bay Blowing through hills, tryna make up time (whuh!) (Way-oh on the railroad) Ain't nothing gonna stand in the way of our line (whuh!) (Way-oh on the railroad) Picking up coal and we're picking up speed Shovel as much as the engine needs Ain't no slave but we slave away All the way to Frisco Bay Boss man says that a mile-a-day's the pace (whuh!) (Way-oh on the railroad) I'll make two for the look on his face (whuh!) (Way-oh on the railroad) Picking up coal and we're picking up speed Shovel as much as the engine needs Ain't no slave but we slave away All the way to Frisco Bay Surveyors tryna plan which route is best (whuh!) (Way-oh on the railroad) Just draw a straight line from east to west (whuh!) (Way-oh on the railroad) Picking up coal and we're picking up speed Shovel as much as the engine needs (hey) Ain't no slave but we slave away All the way to Frisco Bay We spare no quarter, and we'll spare no man (whuh!) (Way-oh on the railroad) Just pray we don't run into the Cheyenne (Way-oh on the railroad) Picking up coal and we're picking up speed Shovel as much as the engine needs Sweat and blood gonna earn my pay All the way to Frisco Bay Picking up coal and we're picking up speed Shovel as much as the engine needs Ain't no slave but we slave away All the way to Frisco Bay Picking up coal and we're picking up speed Shovel as much as the engine needs If I should fall, leave me where I lay On the railway to Frisco Bay

[@jkcbruh6972]

As someone who actually works for a railroad in New Hampshire, this song is my anthem

[@joergojschaefer3521]

Greetings to all iron buddies from a German railroader! Let the trains roll, folks! 🚂 🤘

[@pleasehelp2446]

My hometown being called Frisco is kinda funny cause I know Frisco bay is San Francisco but changing the lyrics a little bit to Frisco Way is a road near where the old 1880s train station is.

[@PadsMcFads]

You’re continually getting better and better! Banger after banger! I’d love to hear your take on Nelson’s Blood, especially with your bass and harmonies!

[@ganonfan98]

Awesome job once again! Now that you're branching out into work songs, I bet you'd do a great job with The Chemical Worker's Song...

[@graceokeefe2482]

Colm I agree. You need to do the chemical worker's song. Also Sugar In The Hold by The Longest Johns

[@willowbadger1190]

This aged well

[@mountaetnablacksmithing1693]

Definitely going on the shop playlist. Maybe I can teach the boys to actually sing it too

[@cephalonsark1530]

I love this song, excited to see it!

[@exogenex]

This is my favorite from your couple of most recent songs. Great job Colm! ❤

[@gracel621]

I cannot even begin to explain how sad I was when I couldn't find this on Spotify 😭 Amazing cover!

[@chantalegli8130]

I know right? It's such a shame, I wanted to have it on loop for my last exams. Oh well, still graduated but it xould have been done with this amazing piece

[@bellerain381]

I'll be singing this song this summer next time I'm on a fire and digging line! It's the perfect line digging song!!

[@beccisharp]

After seeing you in one of the longest johns livestreams I was so hoping you’d cover one of their songs! Also want to see you all do a collab sometime that would be epic! Bass off between you and JD!

[@marcycherryphoenix]

Will you be so kind to share the link? I must see it)

[@ECKtrain]

@@marcycherryphoenix so must I

[@MatthewCampbell765]

If a train is the land equivalent of a ship, does that make this a land shanty?

[@Darthmechas]

Not me using this for my steampunk DnD campaign where the guild hall for the players is a train, one of the first

[@IvanBarsch]

Heck yeah.

[@GlitchTechV1]

Holy shit, first I've heard of you- instantly hooked from just this video

[@Dies1r4e]

half my damn play list is filled with this guy, so much power and emotion in what he sings, its like nega-modern music. Thank you for keeping the art of music an art sir.

[@karatthedog6740]

90% of my playlist is filled with him, let it be nice and powerful!

[@dleggett]

This song has one glaring, incredible flaw: It ends.

[@lucas-ul4ky]

WOOOOO YEAH BABY, DAS WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!!

[@lamboloverlawrence95]

I love working music and I love listening to your songs and covers. It would be otherworldly to hear you cover sixteen tons!

[@brittanyg533]

Wonderful (gradual) change of tempos! Well done, Colm!

[@midnightexpress3604]

Man, you can hear the steady slowly climbing in power in his. reminds me of the heaving power of a Steam engine starting and accelerating, it steadily gets faster and faster and as you, near the end, you can almost imagine the heavy braking of the engine slowing the train. Lovely cover. Saved to Playlist.

[@partyguy184]

Great cover as always! Hope you'll be able to do a rendition of the "Yellow Rose of Texas" or the "Irish Volunteer" one of these days🤙

[@MzCastorama]

One of my fav from the Longest Johns. Your vocals are impressive, excellent work.

[@jeadams4010]

I have have been requesting this for a while

[@Xanzorath]

That percussion and accelerating tempo combination is fantastic

[@LerrisHarrington]

Its a railroad song that picks up steam as it goes.

[@arch357]

thats what i was about to say lol

[@threeoftrees9286]

Your sea shanties and work songs are the only thing that keeps my newborn and 23m old from freaking out for car rides.

[@montanaanonymous7272]

Another new favorite! I love music like this: anything that feels like it has to do with the American expansion out West. I don't actually know where this song is from yet, so that will be the next thing I look into after I binge for a few hours! This is beautiful, Colm, it captures the feeling of men slaving to get it done, rallying their spirits for each upcoming mile on the rail.

[@3rdtimesthecharm376]

You honor our kin what bled and died on the railway West with this song. I'm probably a more mongrel or dreamer than a true Irishman, but I'm proud of my heritage, and my cousins all around.

[@stephanietodd4105]

Loved it, great energy and a real foot stomper, simply honey to the ears, good job again Colm :)

[@Scry60]

You sir out did your self, I already really loved this song so much, and you just took it and knocked it outta the park, my heart is full of joy, thank you for covering such a work of art!

[@EvaPlayzz]

huh...a train "shanty" didnt know I needed this in my life til now heh

[@TheLastDrPhil]

Very great song

[@gellertgrindelwald7171]

I don't know if I'm the only one who's thought this, but I think Colm would have made the PERFECT Charlie Weasley in Harry Potter.

[@Emma-xc1qi]

Ok. I've just discovered you...I love this! You are one of my new favourite singers! I like this song, how it speeds up to sound like a train, and then slows down at the end to show the train pulling into the station perhaps, or the workers becoming tired?

[@skjoldar9622]

This is an amazing job you did here. You're voice fits so perfectly. Thanks for doing this

[@k33f49]

You should do The Bards Song or Skalds and Shadows by Blind Guardian, would sound great! Also can’t wait for this video :)

[@Kremit_the_Forg]

+1 for The Bards Song !

[@J-LucaR]

Definitely... but at the same time challenging... BG Fans can be demanding, and they will surely speak out, if the cover falls short.

[@k33f49]

@@J-LucaR True, but Colm is pretty good at harmonizing.

[@ИсаРади]

or Curse My Name

[@sophiemurphy7602]

This is fantastic!! It has a great beat. You're awesome Colm- love every video- not only do they sound amazing, but the editing is next-level too. :) :)

[@cidercidergirl]

Love this mix of the triptych with the angled view .

[@ArleneAdkinsZell]

Wonderful artist, truly enjoy watching and hearing the diversity of songs.

[@FyremaelGlittersparkle]

As a big fan of both TLJ and Colm, this is fantastic! Makes me think of the railroad crew scenes from the show, “Hell on Wheels.”

[@cheriebell9048]

Wow! I love it. I wish you would do a few more railroad songs, they are hard to find.

[@LarboardAnimations9660]

Love this song! 22 hours is tooooooo long to wait!

[@YouarefriendMorgan]

The opposites of a sea shanty. A land shanty if you will.

[@jessicapaul4654]

Brett

[@vandensoforth]

Colm, your music started out great and it's continually improving! I've loved every minute of it! Keep up the amazing work!!!

[@ruthstewart5242]

I’ve never heard that song before! Lovely!

[@Ranstone]

I love the look in his eyes at 2:25 That's a fire you rarely see nowadays.