Lyr Req/Add: The Train's Done Left Me

Subject: Lyr Req: 'The Trains Done Left Me'
From: GUEST,Jonathan Hewlett
Date: 10 Dec 07 - 03:43 PM

Hey, Does anyone have lyrics to the folksong, The Trains Done Left Me?

I have looked everywhere, and could not find it.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'The Trains Done Left Me'
From: Peace
Date: 10 Dec 07 - 05:53 PM

It dates from at least 1929, but so far I'm having no luck finding lyrics.

Subject: ADD: 'The Trains Done Left Me'
From: 12-stringer
Date: 10 Dec 07 - 05:56 PM

If you mean the one done by the Carolina Tar Heels with lead vocal by Tom Ashley, this is it:

The Train's Done Left Me
(Songwriter?)

The train's done left me and the jitney bus has gone
The train's done left me and the jitney bus has gone
But a-walking and crowded [?] and I won't be here long.

I was leaving a Monday, Lordy, hain't a going back no more
I was leaving a Monday, Lordy, hain't a going back no more
For the woman I was loving, she's further down the road.

The train I was riding, she was 14 coaches long
The train I was riding, she was 14 coaches long
Aw, the woman I was loving, she's got another man and gone.

Victor Vi-40128, recorded 3 April 1929 at Camden, NJ; Thomas C Ashley, vocal/gtr, Dock Walsh, banjo, Garley Foster, harmonica/guitar.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'The Trains Done Left Me'
From: Peace
Date: 10 Dec 07 - 05:57 PM

You da man, 12-stringer.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'The Trains Done Left Me'
From: Azizi
Date: 10 Dec 07 - 07:58 PM

Off-topic, but in reference to this line in "The Trains Done Left Me" song:

The train's done left me and the jitney bus has gone

See this excerpt regarding jitneys in Atlantic City, New Jersey
{my hometown} :

Only in Atlantic City
Jitneys are the city's unique and affordable means of transportation

by David G. Schwartz

"The jitney is an almost-uniquely Atlantic City[New Jersey} mode of transportation. Though the distinctive short buses seem timeless parts of the city, they have been around less than 100 years. Their history, however, encompasses some of the resort's best and worst times.

Jitney buses arrived on Absecon Island in 1915, when automobiles were relatively new. Though several of the larger hotels had private motorcars to pick up valued guests from the train station, most people used trolleys to get around. Jitney drivers charged 5 cents a head ("jitney" was once slang for a nickel, and the name stuck). On good summer days, drivers made between $15 and $20 a day, and even in the off-season they could expect to make $10 a shift. Jitneys were essentially large motorcars...

...the advent of casino gaming in 1978 brought the jitney drivers millions of new passengers, and with routes customized to serve casinos in the Boardwalk and Marina areas, jitneys adjusted to the new casino-driven resort. By the early 1980s, rides cost 75 cents, and routes were running profitably 24 hours a day...

To provide service to the city's growing casino population, jitney routes increased to four. In addition, in the 1990s the Jitney Association partnered with the South Jersey Transportation Authority to run free round-trip shuttles between the train station and the casinos.

The Jitney Association is currently trying to battle a free shuttle service instituted by Harrah's Entertainment to transport players between its four properties in Atlantic City. The jitney is more than a part of Atlantic City's past; it is an indelible part of American culture. In 1982, the Smithsonian Institute received a full-size retired jitney for its collections, a fitting reminder of this humble bus' contribution to the city and the nation"...

http://www.casinoconnectionac.com/department/AC_History/September_2007


-snip-

I remember jitneys in 1960s Atlantic City, New Jersey as mini-buses whose routes were only along Pacific Avenue, one of AC's main streets that extends from one end of the city to another. I recall that the jitney fare as being the same amount as a regular bus, but I can't remember how much that was but it was certainly more than 5 cents.

In contrast, in my adopted city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, "jitneys" are a referent for private cars that take the place of taxi-cabs in most low/middle class income African American neighborhoods. The practice of using private cars as taxis came about because licensed yellow cabs refused to take trips and/or to pick up passengers in Black neighborhoods. While things have improved somewhat in this regard, jitney service is still alive, and well, and still illegal [?] in most low income/middle class African American neighborhoods in Pittsburgh & its surrounding towns.

Neighborhood jitney drivers are mostly older men who wait for "trips" at store fronts designated for that purpose. A person can either call for "car service" or walk to that building and ask for "car service". A person can ask for his or her favorite or regular jitney driver, or take that trip with whichever driver agrees to drive it. As is the case with legal cab service, a jitney trip is door to door service. In contrast to the custom in cabs, in jitneys a single passenger sits in the front seat so that a police officer would be unable to tell that she or he is a paying customer. Supposedly, jitneys are less expensive than cabs, but I don't know that this is [still] true.

In addition to "neighborhood" jitneys, there are also "grocery store" jitney drivers who wait outside of certain large grocery stores for "trips". Some other jitney drivers cruise down Fifth Avenue, the main street of Pittsburgh and honk their horns to pick up multiple passengers. Unlike the other jitneys who will theoretically go anywhere [except in snow and/or ice storms], these Fifth Avenue jitney drivers will only take people to the Hill District, a predominately African American neighborhood that is right next to Pittsburgh's downtown area. Fifth Avenue jitneys charge the same fare as Port Authority buses, though given the fare hikes that buses have recently undergone, maybe jitney fares are cheaper than buse fares now.

Pittsburgh's award winning playwright August Wilson wrote a play titled "Jitney". Here's some information about that play:

http://www.curtainup.com/jitney.html

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'The Trains Done Left Me'
From: Azizi
Date: 10 Dec 07 - 08:08 PM

I meant to add that given the notation that this song was recorded in the South Jersey city of Camden, New Jersey {which is right outside of Philadelphia, PA}, the type of "jitney" that the song refers to is the Atlantic City, New Jersey jitney {buses}.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'The Trains Done Left Me'
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 10 Dec 07 - 09:28 PM

The jitney 'bus' in Pittsburgh Black neighborhoods as described by Azizi is an interesting survival of a once common practice.

Several cities, principally in the NE states, have these small buses, operated for profit. The first, however, were run by individuals, starting just before WW1.

The first record of jitney buses is from Los Angeles, 1914, in "Nation:" "This autumn automobiles, mostly of the Ford variety, began to run in competition with the street cars..." In 1915, they were mentioned in New York City and already several cities initiated controls.
The slang word 'jitney' or gitney was first applied to the nickel coin; in print in the Cincinnati Enquirer in 1903. In 1914 W. C. Handy mentioned 'jitney' in a blues song, "The smoke was broke, no joke, not a jitney on him." The fare on these unlicensed 'buses' at the time was still a nickel.

Jitney buses proliferated in several large cities, soon after the first mass-production and cheap Ford cars. They probably appeared pretty much at the same time in all the cities. In 1915, NYC and Portland (Or.) authorities proposed regulation.

Lighter, "Historical Dictionary of American Slang," and a quick troll of google.

Jitneys in the old unlicensed sense operate in the Caribbean and Central America and Mexico; I have used them from the airport in Mexico City (large, comfortable old cars which can take a lot of luggage, as opposed to the mostly VW taxis) and in Guatemala.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'The Trains Done Left Me'
From: Azizi
Date: 11 Dec 07 - 12:31 AM

Thanks for posting that interesting information, Q.

Here's some more information and clarification about Pittsburgh/Pittsburgh area jitneys.

For the record, "jitneys" in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and its surrounding area aren't buses or small vans, but are the drivers' private vehicles. A driver might use his-or her-new car to jitney, but usually jitneys are older cars.

The building where "jitney drivers" wait for "jitney trips" is called a "jitney station". Most Pittsburgh lower/middle income African American/integrated communities such as The Hill, Homewood, East Liberty, The Northside, The Southside, The West End, and the various sub-sections of those large neighborhoods, have several jitney stations. Also, comparable racial & income neighborhoods in towns near Pittsburgh, PA such as Wilkensburg, Braddock, Rankin, North Versailles, and McKeesport, also have a number of jitney stations within their geographical areas. Residents of specific Pittsburgh area neighborhoods who don't have their own private car, or whose private car is "down" {unable to be used}, usually know
"by heart" {from memory} the telephone number to more than one jitney station. If no one is available at one station or if the station's line is busy, then the person needing a jitney calls another number until they get someone who response affirmatively to their request for "car service".

When a person telephones for a jitney, the person who picks up the phone answers the call by saying "Car service". The individual calling then says that she or he wants a car at abc address to go xyz place. Usually, it's a jitney driver himself {or, in much rarer occasions, herself} who answers the phone. However, some larger jitney stations have an owner/manager who answers the phone. Jitney trips are generally given out by turns. However, a person who needs a jitney can ask for a specific driver. Even if that specific driver is not next in line for a trip, he can take that trip because that is "one of his regular customers". Regular customers probably also have their regular driver's or drivers' home {land line} telephone number and/or cell phone number. In that case, they would call those numbers instead of calling the main jitney number. It's my understanding that neighborhood jitney drivers have to pay a nominal fee to the owner of a jitney station {where the station is housed}. Since supermarket & downtown {Fifth Avenue} jitney drivers aren't housed in any building, they don't have to pay a fee to anyone. For a short while, the supermarket jitney drivers at the Giant Eagle supermarket where I shop wore a certain color baseball hat to identify themselves as being bona fided jitneys. However, for whatever reason or reasons, they stopped that practice. Btw, the managers of the stores knew that jitneys operated outside their store. It seems to me that they didn't mind that because it helped their customers get to and from the store. However, another Giant Eagle supermarket about 10 minutes by car away from the other Giant Eagle store doesn't have jitneys, because there are fewer poor customers in that store than in the other store.

When people ask for car service-by either walking to that neighborhood station or calling that station, they might specify that they need a larger car or a van because there are a number of people needing to be transported, or they have a number of belongings that need to be taken with them. After finding out where the person wants to go, a jitney driver will ask "how many people need the car" {i.e, how many people are with the person calling}. Jitney drivers can and often do refuse trips for any number of reasons including their cars are too small, the trip is too far. Since most neighborhood jitney drivers don't double up on trips {i.e. take multiple passengers going the same way or nearby} like supermarket jitneys or downtown jitneys do, it's sometimes more profitable for them to take one trip in the neighborhood than take one long trip to a neighborhood that is relatively far away. That said, neighborhood jitney drivers like to have trips to the airport {which is usually far away from the neighborhoods that they are based in}. Jitney drivers have been known to refuse to take a trip that is called in by young men or which include too many people. In that case, a driver may ask others in the jitney station if they "want that trip" or if they know that particular person who is calling. If the person is known to another jitney driver, even if it isn't his turn, he can take that trip.

There are no meters in private vehicles which are used as jitneys. However, passengers know the set rate for particular jitney trips. If they don't know how much the trip will cost, it behooves them to ask. Passengers pay their fare once they arrive at their destination. It is expected that supermarket jitney drivers will help their passengers {usually women shoppers} get their groceries to their door {not inside their house}. Neighborhood jitneys will usually help women or older passengers with their belongings. I've less experience with downtown jitneys, but that driver may also help passengers carry belongings to their door. Unlike cab drivers, jitneys don't expect, and rarely receive, a tip.

Before I had a car, I used neighborhood and supermarket jitneys a lot. In all those years, I only recalling having one White jitney driver. In my neighboorhood of East Liberty/Garfield, a small number of the jitney drivers were born in Ghana or Nigeria {West Africa}. That was probably because one person recruited his friends and acquaintances. Needless to say, I enjoyed conversing with these drivers and learning about their cultures.

I should also note that I'm uncertain if there are jitney stations in Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh areas' low & middle class predominately White neighborhoods. Perhaps these neighborhoods don't need jitneys because legal cabs will more readily respond to calls in those neighborhoods.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'The Trains Done Left Me'
From: GUEST,Jonathan Hewlett
Date: 11 Dec 07 - 12:11 PM

Thank You all. but I still need lyrics to the song. It was sung by The Carolina Tar Heels.

Here is the info on the song.

"The Trains Done Left Me"
by Carolina Tar Heels
Camden, New Jersey, 4/3/1929

This was recorded on the RCA Victor LP record,

THE RAILROAD IN FOLKSONG.
                               Thank You

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'The Trains Done Left Me'
From: 12-stringer
Date: 11 Dec 07 - 01:05 PM

Dear Jonathan,

For the lyrics, see message #3 on this thread.

Subject: RE: Req/ADD: 'The Train's Done Left Me'
From: GUEST,Jonathan Hewlett
Date: 11 Dec 07 - 07:55 PM

Thank You 12-stringer. I would like too know where you found the lyrics.

P.S.-The reason I did not see the lyrics before on message three, was because this computer gave me the fits and those dumb telemarketers showed a pop-up link and it got in the way. Sorry.

Subject: RE: Req/ADD: 'The Train's Done Left Me'
From: 12-stringer
Date: 12 Dec 07 - 12:25 AM

Text is from an mp3, off the County "Greenback Dollar" CD, a collection of the early recordings of Tom Ashley. It includes some but not all of his lead work with the Tar Heels.

If you have a Real Media player, there's a free download of the song in Real Audio at Honking Duck. Scroll down the page, as "Train's Done Left Me" is the last-listed of 10 or 12 CTH recordings available there. Click on "Real Audio" underneath the title line and your browser should give you the choice of "Running" or "Saving" the file.

http://honkingduck.com/mc/listen/carolina-tar-heels/trains-done-gone-and-left-me

Subject: RE: Req/ADD: 'The Train's Done Left Me'
From: Stewie
Date: 12 Dec 07 - 06:39 PM

It sounds to me more like 'jitney bus has run' rather than 'gone'. In the third line, I hear 'in' rather than 'and'. That would suggest a place name 'a-walking in ?' Is there some area of Atlantic City that sounds like 'Crowdy'?

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Req/ADD: 'The Train's Done Left Me'
From: Azizi
Date: 12 Dec 07 - 06:52 PM

Is there some area of Atlantic City that sounds like 'Crowdy'?

Not that I know of. But that song was recorded in 1929 and that was waay before my time :o) so maybe there was an area of Atlantic City, New Jersey with that name in those days. But I doubt it.

I've never heard this "The Train Done Left Me" song, but is it possible that line is "But a-walking and crawlin and I won't be here long". ??

Subject: RE: Req/ADD: 'The Train's Done Left Me'
From: GUEST,Jonathan Hewlett
Date: 13 Dec 07 - 04:50 PM

It sounds like the lyrics are,

The Trains Done Left Me

The trains done left me and the jitney bus has run
The trains done left me and the jitney bus has run
But a-walking in Crowdy and I won't be here long.)

(I was leaving on Monday, Lord, I hain't a going back no more
I was leaving on Monday, Lord, I hain't a going back no more
For the woman I was loving, she's heading down the road.)

(The train I was riding, she was 14 coaches long
The train I was riding, she was 14 coaches long
Aw, the woman I was loving, she's got another man and gone.)

I am listening to a recording of it on the record "The Railroad In Folksong" right now and taking parts of the song that you thought it said, and it sounded great.
It does sound like, "a-walking in Crowdy," Stewie. If you want this record, just check at record shops, or get on Ebay.com and look.
See You all Later.

Subject: RE: Req/ADD: 'The Train's Done Left Me'
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 14 Dec 07 - 07:04 PM

I've listened to the track with crackles/pops and hiss removed and I still hear she's further down the road as 12-stringer had above.

On the last line of the 1st verse, I think it could be:
But a-walking y'ain't crowded and I won't be here long

Mick

Subject: RE: Req/ADD: 'The Train's Done Left Me'
From: Stewie
Date: 14 Dec 07 - 09:55 PM

Well done, Mick. You have cracked it. It is surprising how clear it becomes once you know what it's meant to be! The way he sings 'y'ain't' sounded like 'in' to me.

I agree that 'further' in 12-Stringer's transcription is correct.

--Stewie.