Lyr Req: Little Black Train (Woody Guthrie)

Subject: lyrics req. 'LITTLE BLACK TRAIN'
From: uncle bill
Date: 04 Feb 03 - 10:48 AM

I heard an old Smithsonian recording done by Woody Guthrie years ago and haven't been able to find the words yet. Anybody know "Little Black Train" . The black train as I recall symbolizes death. It starts out, There's a little black train a comin', coming round the bend, you gotta ride that little black train and you ain't a comin' home again. thanks

Subject: Lyr Add: LITTLE BLACK TRAIN (Woody Guthrie)
From:
Date: 04 Feb 03 - 11:01 AM

From http://bluegrasslyrics.com/carter_song.cfm-recordID=c123.htm:

Little Black Train, The

There's a little black train a comin
Set your business right
There's a little black train a comin
And it may be here tonight
 
Go tell that ball room lady
All dressed in the worldly pride
That death's dark train is coming
Prepare to take a ride
 
God sent to Hezikai
A message from on high
You better set your house in order
For you must surely die
 
He turned to the wall in weeping
We see and hear his tears
He got his business fixed all right
God spared him fifteen years
 
We see that train with engine
And one small baggage car
Your idle thoughts and wicked deeds
Will stop at the judgement bar
 
That poor young man in darkness
Cares not for the gospel light
Til suddenly he hears the whistle blow
And the little black train in site
 
Have mercy on me lord
Please come and set me right
Before he got his business fixed
The train rolled in that night

Subject: RE: lyrics req. 'LITTLE BLACK TRAIN'
From: masato sakurai
Date: 04 Feb 03 - 11:03 AM

Several versions are posted at Lyr Req: The Little Black Train (Is there the Woody version?). Sound clip is HERE.

~Masato

Subject: RE: lyrics req. 'LITTLE BLACK TRAIN'
From: uncle bill
Date: 04 Feb 03 - 11:17 AM

Thanks so much. The version I heard Woody do didn't have as many religious references but thats the one. Theres enough here to piece together about 8-10 good verses which is about all I can remember at one time anyway. And its one of those songs that you can sing the verses in almost any order. also , happy tofind that bluegrass link.

Subject: RE: lyrics req. 'LITTLE BLACK TRAIN'
From: GUEST,John Hernandez
Date: 04 Feb 03 - 12:05 PM

As I recall Woody's verses:

There's a little black train a-coming,
A-coming down the track,
You gotta ride that little black train,
But it ain't gonna bring you back.

You might be a barroom gambler,
And bluff your way through life,
But you can't bluff that little black train,
Or beat that final ride.

You silken ballroom ladies,
Dressed in your worldly pride,
You gotta ride that little black train,
And take that final ride.

Your million dollar fortune,
Your mansions gleaming white,
You can't take them with you,
When that train rolls into sight.

So get ready for your Savior,
Fix all your business right,
For you gotta ride that little black train,
It might be here tonight.

Subject: RE: lyrics req. 'LITTLE BLACK TRAIN'
From: GUEST,Q
Date: 04 Feb 03 - 01:52 PM

I seem to recall a song about another "black train." It had to do with carrying Lincoln home to Springfield in 1865.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Little Black Train (Woody Guthrie)
From: GUEST
Date: 29 May 12 - 03:06 PM

The carter family originally performed this song. Anita carter on lead.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Little Black Train (Woody Guthrie)
From: open mike
Date: 29 May 12 - 03:43 PM

This train figures prominently in the writings of Manly Wade Wellman who chronicled Appalachian ghost stories in his books. One of his books features Silver John, a hero who fights evil with his silver stringed guitar.
http://www.manlywadewellman.com/Wellbeast.htm
http://www.macabre-republic.com/2011/03/on-road-with-silver-john-little-black.html

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Little Black Train (Woody Guthrie)
From: Ross Campbell
Date: 29 May 12 - 08:23 PM

http://www.manlywadewellman.com/Wellbeast.htm

http://www.macabre-republic.com/2011/03/on-road-with-silver-john-little-black.html

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Little Black Train (Woody Guthrie)
From: BrooklynJay
Date: 29 May 12 - 11:42 PM

Here's Woody Guthrie's version, transcribed from a recording (including repeated verses):


There's a little black train a-coming
Coming down the track
You've gotta ride that little black train
But it ain't a-gonna bring you back

You may be a barroom gambler
And cheat your way through life
You can't cheat that little black train
Or beat this final ride

You silken barroom ladies
Dressed in your worldly pride
You gotta ride that little black train
That's coming in the night

Your million dollar fortune
Your mansion glittering white
You can't take it with you
When the train rolls in the night

Get ready for your Savior
And fix your business right
You gotta ride that little black train
To make this final ride

You silken barroom ladies
Dressed in your worldly pride
You've gotta ride that little black train
That's coming in the night

You may be a barroom gambler
Cheat your way through life
But you can't cheat that little black train
Or beat this final ride

There's a little black train a-coming
Coming down the track
You've gotta ride that little black train
That ain't a-gonna bring you back

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Little Black Train (Woody Guthrie)
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 30 May 12 - 01:13 AM

Thank you Ross C...but links are BS in the long run (when all are dead.)

Brooklyn -- BRILLANT CONTRIBUTION somethong of lasting value.

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

BrooklynJay ... it is almost MORE important that YOU note with the transcription...Recording Producer...DATE...(backside recording song if "phonograph ") any other artists listed on the lable...city.

You went a long ways to make this transcription available for further study...perhaps, over multiple decades into the future...without "the details " your contribution will just hang in limbo.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Little Black Train (Woody Guthrie)
From: Charley Noble
Date: 30 May 12 - 07:33 AM

Jeff Warner recorded the 19th century gospel version of this song not so long ago. I used the tune for the musical setting for a John Masefield poem titled "Pierhead Chorus."

Cheerily,
Charley Noble