On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe

Judy Garland

About On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe

"On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe" is a popular song written by Harry Warren with lyrics by Johnny Mercer. The song was published in 1944, spanned the hit chart in mid-1945, and won the 1946 Academy Award for Best Original Song. It refers to the former Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, and was featured in the 1946 film, The Harvey Girls, where it was sung by Judy Garland, with support from Ben Carter, Marjorie Main, Virginia O'Brien, Ray Bolger, and the MGM Chorus. At one point in mid-1945 versions by Mercer, Bing Crosby, and the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra were on the hit chart simultaneously. In late September the Crosby version, first to make the chart, was joined by one by Judy Garland and the Merry Macs. Despite mentions in the lyrics of the song, the AT&SF never directly reached Laramie, Wyoming or Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 


Year:
1987
3:06
75 

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What a lovely trip
I'm feeling so fresh and alive
And I'm so glad to arrive
It's all so grand

It's easy to see you don't need a palace
To feel like Alice in Wonderland
Back in Ohio where I come from
I've done a lot of dreamin' and I've travelled some

But I never thought I'd see the day
When I ever took a ride on the Santa Fe
(Wanna take a ride on the Santa Fe)
I would lean across my window sill

And hear the whistle echoin' across the hill
Then I'd watch the lights till they fade away
On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe
What a thrill (what a great big wonderful thrill)

With the wheels a-singin' "westward ho"
Right from the day I heard them start
'Cross the Kansas plains from New Mexico
I guess I've got a little gypsy in my heart

When I'm old and grey and settled down
If I ever get a chance to sneak away from town
Then I'll spend my busman's holiday
On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe

All aboard! (we came across the country lickety-split)
(Rollin' ninety miles an hour)
I can't believe I'm here at last
Woo-oo-ooo!

(When you go travellin', it's best for you
To take the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe!)
I can't believe that anything could go so fast
Then you pull that throttle, whistle blows

A-huffin' and a-puffin' and away she goes
All aboard for California, hey!
On the Atchison (on the Atchison)
On the Atchison, Topeka (on the Atchison, Topeka)

On the Atchison, Topeka (on the Atchison, Topeka)
On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe!

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Judy Garland

Judy Garland (born Frances Ethel Gumm; June 10, 1922 – June 22, 1969) was an American actress, singer and vaudevillian. Described by Fred Astaire as "the greatest entertainer who ever lived" and renowned for her contralto voice, she attained international stardom throughout a career that spanned more than 40 years as an actress in musical and dramatic roles, as a recording artist and on the concert stage. Respected for her versatility, she received a Juvenile Academy Award and won a Golden Globe Award as well as Grammy Awards and a Special Tony Award. She was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in the remake of A Star is Born and for the Best Supporting Actress for her performance in the 1961 film Judgment at Nuremberg. She remains t… more »

4 fans

Written by: HARRY WARREN, JOHNNY MERCER

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Song Details
"On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe" is a popular song written by Johnny Mercer and Harry Warren in 1945.
Movie Trivia
The song got significant recognition when it was used in the 1946 MGM musical film 'The Harvey Girls,' starring Judy Garland.
Oscars Win
It won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1946, which was a massive achievement.
Notable Performers
Bing Crosby, Johnny Mercer, and Judy Garland, among others, also famously performed the number.
Composition
The song is noteworthy because it presents a musical story of the American transcontinental railroads' extension to the American West.
Chart Dominance
Bing Crosby's recording of the song reached no.4 in the Billboard charts, and Johnny Mercer's version also achieved notable success by reaching no.1 on the same chart.
Recording History
Judy Garland's version was an 8-minute studio recording made on July 7, 1945, which was edited down to a shorter version for radio play.
Pop Culture
"On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe" has been featured in many films, television shows and commercials since its initial release, solidifying its enduring popularity.
Lyrical Prowess
The song is generally noted for its complex, fast-paced lyrics, that Johnny Mercer is known for.
Commercial Success
Covered by numerous artists, the song has seen various successful adaptations, indicative of its timeless appeal.

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