Hank Snow – I’m Moving On

I’m Moving On, a song written by Hank Snow and recorded by Hank Snow (The Singing Ranger) And His Rainbow Ranch Boys for the RCA label, was recorded on March 28, 1950, on Brown Radio

Productions, 240 1/2 4th Ave. North, Nashville, TN, Hank was accompanied in the session by: Hank Snow (vocal and guitar), Joseph Talbot III (steel), Ernie Newton (bass) and Tommy Waden (fiddle). With the production of Stephen Sholes, the song was released in May 1950, on August 19, 1950, it reached number # 1 on the Country & Western charts, it was 21 weeks as number # 1 alternately, the first on 19 August 1950 and the last one on February 10, 1951. It was the first number # 1 of Hank Snow’s career.

The song was included in Hank Snow’s studio album, Country Classics (RCA 1952).

In September 1985, Hank re-recorded the duo song with Willie Nelson, for the Columbia label, was recorded at Pedernales Recording Studio, Spicewood, TX.

About the song:

Snow proposed the song for his first session for RCA Records in the United States in 1949, but recording director Stephen H. Sholes rejected it, according to Snow. “Later, in the spring of 1950, in Nashville, Mr. Sholes did not remember the song, so I recorded it,” Snow said.
This 12-measure Blues number reached number 1 on the Billboard Country singles list and remained there for 21 weeks, tying the record for most weeks in the highest position with Eddy Arnold “I’ll Hold You in My Heart (1947-48) and “In the Jailhouse Now” by Webb Pierce (1955) were finally overtaken by “Cruise” of Florida Georgia Line, which registered 24 weeks at the top of the list in August 2013.

Song very versioned by many artists, from The rolling Stones, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash to Tina Turner, more than 100 versions.

Some versions:
Ray Charles & His Orchestra 1959 (Atlantic)
Don Gibson 1959 (RCA)
Dave Dudley 1964 (Mercury)
The Rolling Stones 1965 (London Records)
Roy Acuff 1967 (Hickory Records)
Hank Thompson 1967 (Capitol)
Elvis Presley 1969 (RCA)
David Rogers 1973 (Atlantic)
Tina Turner 1974 (United Artists Records)
Willie Nelson & Hank Snow 1985 (Columbia)
Up to more than 100 versions ….

Hank Snow – I’m Moving On Lyrics

That big eight wheeler rollin’ down the track
Means your true lovin’ daddy ain’t comin’ back
‘Cause I’m movin’ on I’ll soon be gone
You were flyin’ too high for my little old sky
So I’m movin’ on

That big loud whistle as it blew and blew
Said hello to the Southland we’re comin’ to you
And we’re movin’ on oh hear my song
You had the laugh on me so I’ve set you free
And I’m movin’ on

Mister fireman won’t you please listen to me
‘Cause I got a pretty mama in Tennessee
Keep movin’ me on keep rollin’ on
So shovel the coal let this rattle a roll
And keep movin’ me on

Mister engineer take that throttle in hand
This rattler’s the fastest in the southern land
To keep movin’ me on keep rollin’ on
You’re gonna ease my mind put me there on time
And keep rollin’ on

I told you baby from time to time
But you just wouldn’t listen or pay me no mind
Now I’m movin’ on I’ll soon be gone
You’ve broken your vow and it’s all over now
So I’m movin’ on

You switched your engine now I ain’t got time
For a trifling woman on my main line
‘Cause I’m movin’ you done your daddy wrong
I’ve warned you twice now you can settle the price
‘Cause I’m movin’ on

But some day baby when you’ve had your play
You’re gonna want your daddy but your daddy will say
Keep movin’ on you stayed away too long
I’m through with you too bad you’re blue
Keep movin’ on