30,000 Pounds of Bananas

It was just after dark when the truck started down the hill that leads into Scranton Pennsylvania.
Carrying thirty thousand pounds of bananas.
Carrying thirty thousand pounds (hit it Big John) of bananas.
-Harry Chapin

Harry Chapin is best known for his serious songs like Taxi and Cat’s in The Cradle, but this is my favorite Harry Chapin song. 30,000 Pounds of Bananas is a tragic song in its own right, but it is not exactly the same as Taxi.

I’ve been to that hill outside of Scranton, PA and I couldn’t help but think of this song. Lovely place, but I wouldn’t want to die there.

If you’ve never heard 30,000 Pounds of Bananas, please give it a listen. It’s the kind of song that makes you glad your not a truck driver.


Jon Herrera
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3 Replies on “30,000 Pounds of Bananas

  1. I was lucky enough to see Harry in a concert in Urbana Il. It was great. I heard he died in a Volkswagen accident.

    This is one of my favorites too.
    thanks

  2. Terrific song, and one of my favorites by Harry Chapin. I always wondered if there really was a hill like that in or near Scranton, PA.

    Karen Henry (Raleigh, NC)