Lyr Add: Watching the Trains Come In

Subject: Lyr Add: WATCHING THE TRAINS COME IN (J Pleasants)
From: SPB-Cooperator
Date: 08 Jul 20 - 10:52 AM

WATCHING THE TRAINS COME IN
Words and music by Frank Leo, ©1916.
As recorded by Jack Pleasants

Since I've been courting Matilda Ann
I try to amuse her the best way I can
Sometimes for instance I take her with me
And count all the gravestones in our cemet'ry
Then if we feel like a bit of excitement
Our way to the station we wend
We find a seat up on number three platform
And sit there for hours on end.

    Watching the trains come in
    Watching the trains come in
    We sit and hold each other's hand
    As only lovers understand
    Watching the trains come in
    Hearing the porter shout
    When we have watched all the trains come in
    We watch all the trains go out.

You'd be surprised at the time, no doubt
A feller can spend watching trains in and out
I've spent some time there with my lady friend
To tell you the truth that's all I've got to spend
We should look strange though if through this excitement
A blood vessel one of us broke
Still, it's quite harmless, when all's said and done
It's a pastime that all ends in smoke.

Cho

Subject: Lyr Add: WATCHING THE TRAINS COME IN (V Dalhart)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 13 Jul 20 - 12:05 AM

As it often happens, there is more than one song with the same title.

You can hear this recording at either the Internet Archive or YouTube.
This is my transcription, but a few words escape me.


WATCHING THE TRAINS COME IN
Words by Lou Klein & Nat Osborne, music by Frank Stillwell & George B. McConnell, ©1928.
As recorded by Vernon Dalhart on Velvet Tone 1767-V, Oct. 1928.

Trains, trains, trains!
When you've nothing else on your mind,
Go down to the station any old time,
And the drama of life you will always find.

Sometimes while you are waiting for your train,
You'll find that all your waiting's not in vain.
As you watch the trains come in and see the passengers depart,
Just study ev'ry face, for ev'ry face betrays a heart.

You'll see happy smiling faces
Greet folks from … places(?)
While watching the trains come in.
You'll see honeymooners leavin'
While other hearts are grievin',
While watching the trains come in.
There's the girl from fields of clover—
You can see the teardrops start—
Come to search the whole town over
For the one who broke her heart.
You'll see mothers old and gray
Seeking those who went astray
While watching the trains come in.

You'll see friends meet who haven't met for years,
And relatives who meet with joyous tears.
There's a scene of happiness when sweethearts greet each other too,
But often there's a scene of life so troublesome(?) to view.

There's the girl from fields of clover—
You can see the teardrops start—
Come to search the whole town over
For the one who broke her heart.
You'll see mothers old and gray
Seeking those who went astray
While watching the trains come in.