The origin of "This Train" is unknown. It was first recorded as a gospel number in the 1920s, and made broadly popular in the 1930s by Sister Rosetta Tharp, who later became one of the innovators of Rock n' Roll.
Earliest know recording:
Woody Guthrie titled his autobiography "Bound for Glory"
Maybe I am the last person in the world to learn this, but Bruce Springsteen's Land of Hope and Dreams must be a respectful rejoinder to–and a secular, humane expansion of the vision of–this beautiful gospel song. Thank you for helping me to connect Springsteen's song to an antecedent and thus to appreciate both all the more, however belatedly.
C'mon man. No PP&M?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnYpFrja4gU