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Banjo tablatures for Life is Like a Mountain Railroad

Traditional

Recomended level: Intermediate

Tags: #vocal song, #medium-tempo

"Life's Railway to Heaven." "Life's Railway to Heaven" In 1890, Tillman put Baptist preacher M.E's hymn to music. Maybe M. E. Abbey wrote the railway song's entire text. Snow frequently set her hymn lyrics to popular music, like Tillman. Bell on YouTube, Oak Ridge Boys, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, Brad Paisley, Russ Taff, and many more. On January 14, 2012, on Garrison Keillor's Prairie Home Companion, Brad Paisley performed a 4/4 rendition. One of the poems of Eliza Young (Truth Reflects on Our Senses) was set by Charles Tillman to the tune used later for the present hymn. Eliza R. Snow used the same tune with her lyrics for "Truth Reflects upon Our Senses" released some twenty years before Tillman was born by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Some claim that some of the text may have been written by Eliza Roxcy Snow Young (1804-1887), the polygamous wife of Mormon founder Brigham Young, but I have not seen any conclusive evidence of it. And the song was written by evangelist artist and record publisher Charles Davis Tillman. Young's lyrics vary entirely from the Railway Song's phrases, except that Abbey's theme is used in it.

  • Banjo Life is Like a Mountain Railroad Scruggs Style

    Scruggs Style

    • Difficulty
    • Key
      G
    • Tempo
      105 bpm
    • Tuning
      gDGBD

    Life is Like a Mountain Railroad is a classic gospel number you are likely to hear at any jam. Normally the breaks are split between players. The switch usually happens the measure a...

    Banjo Life is Like a Mountain Railroad Scruggs Style
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  • Banjo Life is Like a Mountain Railroad Melodic Style

    Melodic Style

    • Difficulty
    • Key
      G
    • Tempo
      110 bpm
    • Tuning
      gDGBD

    This is a fun arrangement of Life is Like a Mountain Railroad that blends Melodic and Scruggs styles. Melodic is used for most of the phrases that have melodic movement, while Scrugg...

    Banjo Life is Like a Mountain Railroad Melodic Style
    Learn
  • Banjo Life is Like a Mountain Railroad Single String Style

    Single String Style

    • Difficulty
    • Key
      G
    • Tempo
      110 bpm
    • Tuning
      gDGBD

    This is another hybrid arrangement of Life is Like a Mountain Railroad, and a good bridge to single string playing if you are used to Scruggs Style. Single String phrases cover the d...

    Banjo Life is Like a Mountain Railroad Single String Style
    Learn



Practicing Tips

Learning Overview
Welcome to a comprehensive learning resource for 'Life is Like a Mountain Railroad'. Known as a quintessential bluegrass banjo song, this medium-tempo vocal melody provides a rewarding challenge. Featured in this lesson are tablatures in Scruggs, Melodic, and Single String Styles, expertly constructed for intermediate players wishing to expand their repertoire and finesse their skills. Included are a variety of features on the Tunefox platform, all designed to support a rich, personalized learning experience.


Practice Tips - Lick Switcher
Dive deep into an array of possible variations with the Lick Switcher. This powerful tool affords the possibility of switching licks for individual measures, thereby showcasing the same song in different styles. Choose to experiment and learn new interpretations of the song by creating a personalized arrangement. The key lies in tapping the measure to uncover what alternative licks are available.


Practice Tips - The Arrange Slider
Tailor the difficulty level to your preference with the Arrange slider feature. Sliding it to the left simplifies the song, reducing it to its core arrangement by removing many of the "fill-in" notes. On the other hand, sliding it to the right fills out the tablature with extra notes, thereby recreating the full richness of the song.


Practice Tips - Backing Tracks
Enhance your practice sessions by playing along with real-sounding backing tracks. This method not only makes learning fun but also prepares you for jamming with others. Concentrate on select measures, repeat them, and gradually increase the tempo using the 'Speed Up' function. Starting at a comfortable speed, the 'Speed Up' function will subtly increase the tempo each time you play through the song, allowing you to progressively master higher speeds.


General Practice and Learning Tips
Enjoy the learning journey with our user-friendly platform. Remember that practicing regularly, patiently, and intently is key in mastering any musical piece. It's essential to take small steps, focus on one measure at a time, and combine them when you're ready. Challenge yourself, but also remember to have fun while playing the enticingly soulful 'Life is Like a Mountain Railroad'.


Life is Like a Mountain Railroad lyrics

Life is like a mountain railroad
With an engineer so brave
We must make this run successful
From the cradle to the grave
Watch the curves, the fills the tunnels
Never falter, never fail
Keep your hand upon the throttle
And your eye upon the rail

Oh, blessed Savior, thou wilt guide us
Til we reach that blissful shore
Where the angels wait to join us
In God's grace forever more

As you roll across the trestle
Spanning Jordan's swelling tide
You behold the union depot
Into which your train will glide
There you'll meet the superintendent
God the Father, God the Son
With a hearty, joyous greeting
Weary pilgrim, welcome home

* Refrain