‘Ken Woods and The Old Blue Gang – Ride The Rails’ is a cinematic, gut-wrenching folk-rock ballad that yanks you straight into the heart of one of America’s forgotten tragedies — the violent expulsion of the Chinese community in La Grande, Oregon, on September 24, 1893.

You’re transported into a fevered nightmare of history from the first whistle of a steam train. Woods doesn’t soften the story—instead, this leans into its chaos with galloping drums, dusty guitar riffs, and vocals that straddle storyteller and witness. Pulsating rhythms mimic the thunderous momentum of a train, matching the intensity of the narrative being told.

The lyrics spare no details to visualize the horrific scene of that day. “They rounded up the migrants / Drove them to the railroad tracks”—while the chorus is haunting in its irony: “Ride the rails you made / Travel the tracks you laid.” By highlighting the events of that day in such clarity, the group brings to light the latent racism that has existed in the country for hundreds of years.

A standout aspect of this track is its sublime guitar sections. Duelling guitar lines duck and weave throughout, leading to an action-packed solo that sets the stage for a showdown. The track ends as it began, with the railway sounds, bringing closure to the narrative they unfolded and serving as a timely reminder that aspects of oppression still remain today.

‘Ride The Rails’ is a fascinating retelling of a mostly forgotten dark episode in the nation’s history. Ken and the Gang sublimely fuse blues, rock, and folk into an anthem of remembrance.

Stream ‘Ken Woods And The Old Blue Gang – Ride The Rails’ on Spotify here: