CANNONBALL EXPRESS, THE
(Al Jacobs / Clifford F. Ferre / Jack Pleis)


Peggy Lee - 1950
Lionel Hampton & His Orch. (vocal: Sonny Parker) - 1950





The Cannonball Express built in forty-three
A super-duper chug-chug of luxury
With private showers and twelve course meals
The train had ev'rything, ev'rything but wheels
Oh! Cannonball, Oh! Cannonball, Oh! Cannonball Express
Except the way they built it, ain't goin' anywhere

A hundred people came for the maiden trip
They came to ride a choo-choo and take a nip
It sure was one o' them champagne deals
The corks kept poppin' and no one missed the wheels
Oh! Cannonball, Oh! Cannonball, Oh! Cannonball Express
Except the way they built it, ain't goin' anywhere

(Instrumental Break)

They thought the train was movin', but it was still
So ev'ryone got off, but against their will
And as the passengers all filed out
The porters on the train all began to shout
Oh! Cannonball, Oh! Cannonball, Oh! Cannonball Express
Except the way they built it, ain't goin' anywhere

It could'a been the fastest to ride the rails
But as it is it can't beat a pack of snails
I'd rather see an old man who steals
Than one who builds a train and forgets the wheels
Oh! Cannonball, Oh! Cannonball, Oh! Cannonball Express
Except the way they built it, ain't goin' anywhere






(Transcribed by Mel Priddle - April 2012)