Happy Birthday, American Pie!

Released in October of '71, the exact date seems to be unknown. Great song. I understand every reference but one - the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost - any ideas, folks? By catching a train for the Coast, it implies they're going to California, (at least I've never heard of the East Coast described merely by the one word, "Coast", so am assuming we're talking L.A.). The elegant reply would be for Woody, Arlo and Pete Seeger. McLean was something of a disciple have visited L.A., (I believe Woody lived there in the 30's), but it just doesn't seem to fit a lyric whose placement in the song would imply 69-71, (Woody being long dead by then).



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6uEjifqTaI&feature=related