“Abilene”
Description
"Abilene, Abilene, prettiest town (you) ever seen, (folks) there don't treat you mean In Abilene, my Abilene." The singer complains about life in the big city, hears the trains, and wishes they were carrying (him) back to Abilene
Notes
Some sources credit this to John D. Loudermilk; others call it traditional. I'm not really sure what to think. There are verses which I think must be composed, and I have yet to see a truly traditional version. But Loudermilk could have touched up a traditional song. - RBW
The song has also been credited to the folk-revival performer Bob Gibson. - PJS
Cross references
- cf. "Ohio River, She's So Deep and Wide" (floating lyrics)
References
- Silber-FSWB, p. 48, "Abilene" (1 text)
- DT, ABILNE*
- BI, FSWB048