#Travel January 23

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For January 2025, several of us are taking part in the 30-Day Song Lyrics Coach4aday Challenge. Each day we utilize a theme and post the song lyrics from a song that connects the two. Today my theme is on travel and my song is I’VE BEEN EVERWHERE.

These posts are often filled with irony that is uncovered by research. That is the case on today’s song that I always thought was strictly American-Wrong!

My song “I’ve Been Everywhere” is often referred to as “I’ve Been Everywhere Man”. The song was originally written by an Australian songwriter named Geoff Mack in 1959. Mack’s original version featured towns and cities in Australia.

Three years after it was written it got recorded in 1962 by the Australian singer Leslie Morrison, who used the stage name Lucky Starr. The original version was a list of Australian destinations, including Wallangarra, Billabong, Darwin and Woolloomooloo. Later in 1962, Mack re-wrote the lyrics with places in America (using a map to determine place names), and country singer Hank Snow took it to the top of the Country charts. Snow was originally from Canada, but was known for traveling, which is often what he sang about.

The song was originally about Australia and turned into a hit by a Canadian when it was rewritten about the US.

Song Lyrics 30-Day Challenge Guidelines

Like previous challenges there are no hard and fast rules to participate. There are a few suggested guidelines

1. Post the lyrics to the song of your choice, and explain, if necessary, why it connects to your daily theme.
2. Please try to include the songwriters
3. Link to a video so people can listen to the song

January 23rd-Theme-Travel-Song-I’ve Been Everywhere

Johnny Cash recorded a popular version of this song that was used in commercials for Comfort Inn and also in the 2004 remake of the movie Flight Of The Phoenix. In the Cash version he mentions 92 unique places he has visited.

Lyrics

… I was totin’ my pack along the dusty Winnemucca road
When along came a semi with a high an’ canvas-covered load
“If you’re goin’ to Winnemucca, Mack, with me you can ride”
And so I climbed into the cab, and then I settled down inside
He asked me if I’d seen a road with so much dust and sand
And I said, “Listen, I’ve traveled every road in this here land”

… I’ve been everywhere, man
I’ve been everywhere, man
Crossed the deserts bare, man
I’ve breathed the mountain air, man
Of travel I’ve had my share, man
I’ve been everywhere

… I’ve been to Reno, Chicago, Fargo, Minnesota
Buffalo, Toronto, Winslow, Sarasota
Wichita, Tulsa, Ottawa, Oklahoma
Tampa, Panama, Mattawa, La Paloma
Bangor, Baltimore, Salvador, Amarillo
Tocapillo, Baranquilla, and Perdilla, I’m a killer

… I’ve been everywhere, man
I’ve been everywhere, man
Crossed the deserts bare, man
I’ve breathed the mountain air, man
Of travel I’ve had my share, man
I’ve been everywhere

… I’ve been to Boston, Charleston, Dayton, Louisiana
Washington, Houston, Kingston, Texarkana
Monterey, Faraday, Santa Fe, Tallapoosa
Glen Rock, Black Rock, Little Rock, Oskaloosa
Tennessee to Tennesse Chicopee, Spirit Lake
Grand Lake, Devils Lake, Crater Lake, for Pete’s sake

… I’ve been everywhere, man
I’ve been everywhere, man
Crossed the desert’s bare, man
I’ve breathed the mountain air, man
Of travel I’ve had my share, man
I’ve been everywhere

… I’ve been to Louisville, Nashville, Knoxville, Ombabika
Schefferville, Jacksonville, Waterville, Costa Rica
Pittsfield, Springfield, Bakersfield, Shreveport
Hackensack, Cadillac, Fond du Lac, Davenport
Idaho, Jellico, Argentina, Diamantina,
Pasadena, Catalina, see what I mean

… I’ve been everywhere, man
I’ve been everywhere, man
Crossed the desert’s bare, man
I’ve breathed the mountain air, man
Of travel I’ve had my share, man
I’ve been everywhere

… I’ve been to Pittsburgh, Parkersburg, Gravelburg, Colorado
Ellensburg, Rexburg, Vicksburg, El Dorado
Larimore, Atmore, Haverstraw, Chatanika
Chaska, Nebraska, Alaska, Opelika
Baraboo, Waterloo, Kalamazoo, Kansas City
Sioux City, Cedar City, Dodge City, what a pity

… I’ve been everywhere, man
I’ve been everywhere, man
Crossed the desert’s bare, man
I’ve breathed the mountain air, man
Of travel I’ve had my share, man
I’ve been everywhere

… I’ve been everywhere

Video

Here is a video from Johnny Cash with the lyrics.