In 1966, Graham Nash, then a member of the UK pop group The Hollies, visited Morocco, where he booked first-class passage on a train from Casablanca to Marrakesh, eventually leaving his compartment for the cheap seats.

Inspired by the experience, Nash wrote a song, which, though recorded by the band, was never completed due to concern over the tune's lyrical content, especially in relation to Nash’s emerging hippie aesthetic. Shortly after, Nash would leave the The Hollies and travel to the United States, where he co-founded the band that was not a band, Crosby, Stills & Nash.

From their 1969 debut album, and the road not taken:

MARRAKESH EXPRESS
(Graham Nash)

(Whoopa, hey mesa, hooba huffa, hey meshy goosh goosh)

Looking at the world through the sunset in your eyes
Travelling the train through clear Moroccan skies
Ducks and pigs and chickens call
Animal carpet wall to wall
American ladies five-foot tall in blue.

Sweeping cobwebs from the edges of my mind
Had to get away to see what we could find
Hope the days that lie ahead
Bring us back to where they've led
Listen not to what's been said to you

Wouldn't you know we're riding on the Marrakesh Express
Wouldn't you know we're riding on the Marrakesh Express
They're taking me to Marrakesh
All aboard the train
All aboard the train

I've been saving all my money just to take you there
I smell the garden in your hair

Take the train from Casablanca going south
Blowing smoke rings from the corners of my m-m-m-m-mouth
Colored cottons hang in the air
Charming cobras in the square
Striped djellebas we can wear at home
Well, let me hear ya now

Wouldn't you know we're riding on the Marrakesh Express
Wouldn't you know we're riding on the Marrakesh Express
They're taking me to Marrakesh
Wouldn't you know we're riding on the Marrakesh Express
Wouldn't you know we're riding on the Marrakesh Express
They're taking me to Marrakesh
All on board the train
All on board the train
All on board