Wow - all this because I am a little bit interested in old nautical terminology. I thought maybe the “proud mary” might have been a name for the smoke stack. (that would explain the burning). That also explains a little why I put it in general questions first. Actually, come to think of it, I still haven’t seen any evidence other than overwhelming concensus that Proud Mary was a boat, though I imagine you are all correct. Thanks for all the input. Do you 'spose there really was a steamboat called the Proud Mary?
The lyrics that I have seen on the web have Proud Mary capitalized. That is some evidence that Proud Mary is a name, likely a steamboat.
I stand self-corrected.
yer thinkin’ of Puff the magic dragon…
heh!
I have played this song in several working bands over the years… always, ALWAYS, sing “pumped a lotta tang” !
will continue to do so.
Pumped Tang? Was he supposed to be an astronaut?
Oh, wait…
No no no, Pumpin Tang is Pootie Tang’s brother.
One can find this:
http://www.memphisqueen.com/show.php
I’d take that with a large grain of salt, but it does concern Memphis showboats.
“Pumped a lot of 'tane down in New Orleans …”
Octane. Gasoline.
And “take a ride on the flying spoon” would be about…?
Except that if you look a few posts up, you’re wrong. The original lyric is either pane or pain. I always assumed pane, as in propane…
I thought it was pumped a lot of pain down in New Orleans.
Is there an echo in here, or did someone not read the last handful of posts?
Ah, it’s a 1920’s style “death ray.”
perhaps he was into bodybuilding while in new orleans? no pain, no gain.
Listen to the Ike and Tina Turner version - she clearly says “tane”.