Chords Req: Poison Train (Michael O'Rourke)

Subject: Req:Chords for poison train (M. O'Rourke
From: GUEST,Chris
Date: 07 Mar 08 - 08:44 AM

Hi,
I recently heard the song 'the poison train' by Michael O'Rourke. Its a good song, and I like to learn it, but don't know the tune. Can anyone help me out?

cheers
Chris

Subject: Lyr Add: POISON TRAIN (Michael O'Rourke)
From: Peace
Date: 07 Mar 08 - 11:14 AM

(I guess you have the lyrics, but this might help anyone who can find sound bites or access Youtube.}

Poison Train
Michael O'Rourke

This old town has had it's day, all the people moved away,
The houses standing empty in the dry and dusty day.
No one cares for this old town now the money's not around,
The railway line is rusty and the station's falling down

When the railway opened here all the gutters flowed with beer,
And the people stood beside the line to watch and wave and cheer.
Oh the speeches that were made when the bosses smiled and said,
"Good times beginning - follow us and you'll go ahead."

There's a light down the line, let it shine lord let it shine,
There's a camp down the way, all the fettlers will be coming home today.

Well they built the streets so wide it'd be a thing of pride
To walk across it drunk or throw a stone to the other side,
And the buildings grew so tall you would tremble at their fall,
Now they all fall down and you'd never know there was anyone there at all.

There's a light down the line...

You can hear the tall man say to the children at their play,
Now you'd better go home early and you'd better stay away.
Stay away from the line can't you hear the tracks are humming,
The grass has grown too tall and the poison train is coming.

There's a light ....

You feel sorry for the grass all it did was grow too fast,
An with the weapons ranged against it, it was never meant last.
And the man and his offsider, well they're all dressed in black,
As the poison train goes through the town and blisters all the track.

But there's a light…

Well it never lasted long half the town was dead and gone;
They were all just too afraid to be left there all alone.
And the people moved away - there was no celebration,
No-one made a speech the day they closed down the station.

There's a light down the line...

Subject: RE: Req:Chords for poison train (M. O'Rourke
From: GUEST,Gerry
Date: 08 Mar 08 - 09:47 PM

It's a terrific song. I can't help directly with tune or chords (well, I could sing it for you, if you were in earshot), but maybe these will help:

Sheet music is on pp 75-76 of Therese Radic, Songs of Australian Working Life, Greenhouse Publications, Elwood, Victoria, 1989. Who knows, maybe this is available on Google Books.

Recordings are available by The Fagans, on the Kitchen Dance CD, FMCD004, from 1997, Mossbawn Music, PO Box 154, Epping NSW 2121 Australia, and by Us Not Them (nowadays this duo goes by Jason & Chloe Roweth), on the One Man's Weeds - Another Man's Flowers CD, JCCD0005, from 2001, PO Box 175 Jamberoo NSW 2533 Australia.

Subject: RE: Req:Chords for poison train (M. O'Rourke
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 08 Mar 08 - 10:17 PM

Gerry, I looked on Trad and Now & Fastrax sites & it looks like both CDs are out of print

Subject: RE: Req:Chords for poison train (M. O'Rourke
From: Snuffy
Date: 09 Mar 08 - 06:57 AM

There's a bit more information on this old thread Lyr Add: Poison Train (Michael O'Rourke) from 2000

Subject: RE: Req:Chords for poison train (M. O'Rourke
From: GUEST,Bruce from Bathurst
Date: 10 Mar 08 - 03:17 AM

Chloe and Jason should still have copies of "One Man's Weeds ..." if you go to their web site

Subject: RE: Req:Chords for poison train (M. O'Rourke
From: GUEST,chris
Date: 11 Mar 08 - 11:17 AM

Thanks for those suggestions. I will try and track down a recording and get a friend to help with music. cheers
Chris

Subject: RE: Req:Chords for poison train (M. O'Rourke
From: Bruce from Bathurst
Date: 12 Mar 08 - 08:34 AM

Chloe and Jason Roweth definitely have copies of "One Man's Weeds". I was at their house this morning and there's a big box of 'em in the hallway, thanks to a recent reprint.

Subject: RE: Chords Req: Poison Train (Michael O'Rourke)
From: GUEST,keith blackburn northumberland uk
Date: 23 Mar 08 - 03:32 PM

play it cgf as you sing it in the verse
chorus start on g                   c
             theres a light on the line
                      f    c             g
             let it shine shine let it shine

i came on line looking for the words i'd forgot

hope it helps
cheers

Subject: RE: Chords Req: Poison Train (Michael O'Rourke)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 15 Jun 20 - 05:43 PM

Guest, Gerry, sang this powerful song this afternoon - at 7:30 Tuesday morning from Australia!

Subject: RE: Chords Req: Poison Train (Michael O'Rourke)
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 15 Jun 20 - 08:03 PM

I wondered why these threads had been revived, good to know Gerry is taking these great songs to the (Mudcat) world.

Subject: RE: Chords Req: Poison Train (Michael O'Rourke)
From: GUEST,Gerry
Date: 15 Jun 20 - 09:21 PM

Sandra, I think I was the only one taking part from Australia, so I figured I should do Australian songs, Poison Train and Hey Rain. If I take part next week, I'm thinking about singing The People Have Songs.

Subject: RE: Chords Req: Poison Train (Michael O'Rourke)
From: JennieG
Date: 16 Jun 20 - 03:28 AM

I have the Therese Radic book.....but I think it's long been out of print for anyone wanting to buy. It's a gem.

Subject: RE: Chords Req: Poison Train (Michael O'Rourke)
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 16 Jun 20 - 10:46 AM

Gerry, definitely sing The People have songs, it deserves a world-wide audience.

Subject: RE: Chords Req: Poison Train (Michael O'Rourke)
From: JennieG
Date: 16 Jun 20 - 08:33 PM

I'll second and third that.