Name That 1972 Tune

April 8, 2007 2:58 AM

I've seen so many posts on Ask Mefi regarding long-forgotten songs that have been successfully resolved - but here's one with which I've been struggling for literally decades.

The year: 1972

It was on the radio around the time of 'Summer Breeze', 'Heart of Gold', 'A Horse With No Name' and 'Rocket Man' but obviously wasn't a big hit. I don't think it was merely regional in scope, but I know I heard it more than a few times back then on the local stations in Central California.

Here are some lyrics from the last verse and chorus:

When that train pulls around the bend
I know my friends will all be waiting there for me
But my welcome home won't be quite complete
Until I meet the girl I've traveled home to see

Virginia be strong,
For I won't be long,
Virginia hold on.

The melody of the verse is reminiscent of the Beatles' 'Two Of Us', but a little more upbeat and bouncy - traveling music, if you will.

posted by DandyRandy to grab bag (6 comments total)

I thought it might be Jim Croce but haven't found anything on google to back it up.
posted by furtive at 9:05 AM on April 8, 2007

No luck here, I did some searching on some lyrics-search web sites and found nothing. Google didnt help either. You've stumped the band on this one!
posted by BillsR100 at 4:41 PM on April 8, 2007

I've got a call out to my ex on this one -- he's one of the all-time kings of music trivia, so I'm hoping he can come up with it!
posted by scody at 5:20 PM on April 8, 2007

Not confusing with 'Jesse Hold On'?
posted by blue_wardrobe at 2:20 PM on April 9, 2007

Nope - definitely not Jesse - my memory is crystal clear on that.

I thought sure that something would come up, but this seems to be a really tough nut.

And it's a great song, too!
posted by DandyRandy at 10:37 AM on April 10, 2007

Any other words at all?
posted by blue_wardrobe at 5:33 PM on April 10, 2007