Morningtown Ride

"Morningtown Ride" is a lullaby, written and performed by Malvina Reynolds in 1957, and covered by a number of artists. It tells the 'comforting' story of the 'journey' through nighttime made by all the "little travellers" (children), on board a train, with the Sandman as guard.

The song was a number 2 hit in the UK Singles Chart in December 1966 for The Seekers.

Cover versions

• It was sung by the Limeliters, an American singing group led by Glenn Yarbrough, in their 1962 album Through Children's Eyes. (RCA Victor LSP 2512 (stereo, RCA Victor LPM 2512 (mono)^[1]

• Performed by The Seekers with Bobby Richards and his Orchestra on the 1964 album Hide and Seekers (Music for Pleasure MFP 1301).^[2] It was subsequently re-recorded and released as a single (Columbia DB 8060), produced by Tom Springfield,^[3] reaching #2 in the UK Singles Chart in December 1966.^[4]

• Reynolds herself recorded it on her 1970 album Artichokes, Griddle Cakes, and Other Good Things (Pacific Cascade Records LP-7018).^[5]

• Bob McGrath sang this song on the Sesame Street album, Bert & Ernie Sing-Along.

• Raffi sang this song on his 1980 album Baby Beluga (Rounder).^[6]

• The Wiggles and Jimmy Little sang this song on their 2000 album Wiggly Wiggly World (Lyons Group).^[7]

• Erkki Liikanen recorded a Finnish language version, "Matka Aamun Kaupunkiin", in 1967.^[8]

• Annette Hodgson performed this as the character Noelene in The Sapphires.^[9]

• A largely instrumental version, recorded by Stan Butcher, from his 1966 album His Birds and Brass, was used as theme tune to the weekly Saturday morning BBC Radio 1 programme Junior Choice presented by Ed Stewart.^[10]

References