Religious Train & Chariot Songs

Subject: RE: Religious Train & Chariot Songs
From: GUEST,gleaner
Date: 28 Dec 06 - 01:12 PM

I don'know whether or not Curtis Mayfield's "People Get Ready" goes back far enough.

Subject: RE: Religious Train & Chariot Songs
From: Songster Bob
Date: 28 Dec 06 - 01:11 PM

Life's Railway to Heaven comes to mind immediately.

And my wife's been playing the CD of "Chariots of Cherubim Chanting (or whatever the real name is)" that we heard from Nowell Sing We Clear recently.

Bob Zentz's "Chariots" isn't specifically religious, but mystical enough that, to some, it is.

Those are the first ones that I can think of just now.

Bob

Subject: Lyr Add: LAST TRAIN TO GLORY (Arlo Guthrie)
From: SINSULL
Date: 28 Dec 06 - 01:11 PM

The line about "the stranger who is sleeping on your floor" reminds me of an ancient tradition. Never turn away a guest. He might be a god come to visit. One of my favorites:

Last Train To Glory by Arlo Guthrie

I want to hop on the last train in the station
Won't need to get yourself prepared
When you're on that last train to glory
You'll know you're reasonably there

Maybe you ain't walked on any highway
You've just been flyin' in the air
But if you're on that last train to glory
You'll know you've paid your fare
Maybe you've been lying down in the jailhouse
Maybe you've been hungry and poor
Maybe your ticket on the last train to glory
Is the stranger whose been sleeping on your floor

I ain't a man of constant sorrow
I ain't seen trouble all day long
We are only passengers on the last train to glory
That will soon be long, long gone
I want to hop on the last train in the station
Won't need to get yourself prepared
When you're on the last train to glory
You'll know you're reasonably there

Subject: Religious Train & Chariot Songs
From: Azizi
Date: 28 Dec 06 - 12:58 PM

Having nothing earth shattering to do today, I was thinking about how many religious songs I knew-and wondering what other songs folks here knew-that specifically mentioned or alluded to trains & chariots.

This mental exercise was a direct result of the thread Lyr Add: African-American Christmas Carols .

Also, as a direct result of that thread, I've been pondering the meanings of references to trains in African American spirituals.

Please join me in listing and providing lyrics for these types of religious songs from African American and/or other cultures.

I'd also love to 'hear' what you think trains mean in these songs.

I think the meaning of chariots is clearer than the meaning of trains in African American spirituals. But maybe some might disagree that chariots in those songs just refer to vehicles that take folks to their heavenly reward.

Thanks in advance for your participation in this discussion.