Take the A Train

Album: The Popular Duke Ellington (1941)
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  • You must take the A Train
    To go to Sugar Hill way up in Harlem

    If you miss the A Train
    You'll find you've missed the quickest way to Harlem

    Hurry, get on, now, it's coming
    Listen to those rails a-thrumming (All Aboard!)

    Get on the A Train
    Soon you will be on Sugar Hill in Harlem Writer/s: Billy Strayhorn
    Publisher: BMG Rights Management, Reservoir Media Management, Inc., Songtrust Ave
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 3

  • Harvey Wachtel from Kew Gardens, NyAs far as I can determine, from 1933 until around 1950 the C train also provided express service from Penn Station [which is where I assume Strayhorn arrived in New York from Pittsburgh] to Sugar Hill. I guess Duke advised the A train because the C would have left Billy on the lower level at 145th Street, a reasonable consideration for someone carrying his luggage and a musical instrument. Good thing; I don't think "Take the 'A' or 'C' train" would have made the cut.
  • Kim from Kearney, MoI believe Billy Strayhorn wrote the music and original lyrics - except the four measures of chords that introduce the big band version.
  • Pat from Meelick Thanks for information.
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