Lyr Req: Corey's Coming (Harry Chapin)

Subject: Lyr Req: Song about semi-fictitious woman
From: GUEST,Bob Pegritz
Date: 22 Mar 08 - 03:33 PM

Hi everyone,

I heard a song recently about a dying man who kept on saying that "my ____'s coming" referring to an old girlfriend or perhaps a daughter. It was sort of an anthem of a song. I'd love to find out the title to this wonderful song. I remember that there was a railraod yard spoken of in the lyrics.

Many thanks,

Bob

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Song about semi-fictitious woman
From: Wolfgang
Date: 31 Mar 08 - 05:40 AM

Corey's coming roughly fits the description.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Song about semi-fictitious woman
From: Charley Noble
Date: 31 Mar 08 - 08:18 AM

Wolfgang-

I believe you've nailed it.

What a song. Beware of lump in throat and teary eyes!

Charley Noble

Subject: Lyr Add: COREY'S COMING (Harry Chapin)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 02 Apr 08 - 10:34 PM

Thanks to Wolfgang for the link.

COREY'S COMING
Harry Chapin

Old John Joseph was a man with two first names.
They left him in the railroad yard when they took away the trains.
Only one run a week comes on roaring down that line,
So all he's got to worry 'bout is time.

I come by in the evening to hear 'bout where he's been.
He says, "Come on, sit down, Kid. Where shall I begin?"
He starts telling me the stories of the glories of his past,
But he always saves the story of his Corey for the last.

And he says, "My Corey's coming. No more sad stories coming.
My midnight-moonlight-morning-glory's coming, aren't you, girl?
And like I told you, when she holds you, she enfolds you in her world."

I was quite surprised to find out all the places that he knew,
And so I asked the townfolk if his stories were true.
They said, "Old John was born here. he's lived here all his life.
He's never had a woman, let alone a wife.

"And very soon, you'll find out as you check around,
That no one named Corey's ever lived in this town."
So I chided the old man 'bout the truth that I had heard.
He smiled and said, "Reality is only just a word."

I came by one evening but he did not hear my shout.
I looked in the window and saw the fire was out.
When he would not wake up, I forced in the door
And found that Old John Joseph would tell stories no more.

The scene at the graveyard, three of us were there.
Me and the gravedigger heard the parson's prayer.
He said, "We need not grieve for this man, for we know that God cares."

They put the cold dirt over him and left me on my own,
And when at last I looked up, I saw I was not alone,
So I said, "If you're a relative, he had a peaceful end."
She said, "My name is Corey. You can say I'm just a friend."

"Corey's coming. No more sad stories coming.
My midnight-moonlight-morning-glory's coming, aren't you, girl?
And like I told you, when she holds you, she enfolds you in her world."

So that's the old man's story. I'm glad you came tonight.
A busted down old railroad yard sure makes a lonely sight.
You may wonder why a young man would work out here alone.
Well, the job pays enough to keep some flesh on my bones.

And I confess I get to missing the old man a bit,
And there's one other reason I guess I should admit:

Can't you see my Corey's coming? No more sad stories coming.
My midnight-moonlight-morning-glory's coming, aren't you, girl?
And like he told me, when she holds me, she enfolds me in her world.