Subject: RE: BS: Train Songs From: jaze Date: 05 Dec 00 - 11:05 AM Tom Rush did a railroad song--Riding On A Railroad-- that I believe was written by James Taylor. Saw a PBS special about trains years ago with Johnny Cash narrarating and singing train songs. He sang a song about the elegance of the old trains and the words had something about "Burgundy" in it. Have tried for years to find this song. Not much to go on I know but anyone know it? |
Subject: RE: BS: Train Songs From: Luke Date: 05 Dec 00 - 02:17 PM I like the song "A Way Out There" for all around trainability.I mean it really sounds like one. I wrote one about the little town I live in about my hundred year old neighbor Rollo. It's an oldtime train town I live in. We have a double track going right through this little town and the trains are so heavy people can't keep a good foundation beneath they're house from the shaking. Would it be in poor taste to enter such a thing here? Luke |
Subject: RE: BS: Train Songs From: Bert Date: 05 Dec 00 - 02:21 PM Luke, that would be great. Let's have it then. We LOVE songs by Mudcatters. The only thing that's 'poor taste' is to mention a song and then not give us the words. |
Subject: Lyr Add: ROLLO From: Luke Date: 05 Dec 00 - 02:43 PM Rollo Where Rush Creek meets the railroad down below the county line, Highway nine, There rests that home of mine. My neighbor there is Rollo Best. For him I made this rhyme. In his time, He sold ice cream for a dime. And Rollo knows who comes and goes, who rests and who reclines, About makin' hay while the sun so brightly shines. (Chorus:) Oh Rollo, Rollo, where did you go? Went on down to Florida where the birds fly from the snow. Oh Rollo, Rollo, where did you go? Come on home, Rollo. You've got a yard to mow. The railroad trains come into town, their horns a-blastin' blow, Sad and low, They come and then they go. Foundations crumble 'neath the ground, down where it doesn't show, Down below, They come and then they go. And Rollo's seen 'em come and go for a hundred years or more, Feels every train come shakin' up through the floor. (Chorus) Time passes like a rolling train in the middle of the night, Out of sight, Yet full of force and might. The whistle calls to one and all asleep so snug and tight, Shines its light To the left and to the right. Though Rollo's gone, the trains roll on. Somehow, it don't seem right. The rails bring on their diesel dynamite And time brings on the snowbirds' fight. This is about as trainy as I get. Luke HTML line breaks added. -JoeClone 27-Mar-01. |
Subject: RE: BS: Train Songs From: Luke Date: 05 Dec 00 - 02:58 PM I just did a search here on Mudcat for the song "Way Out There" I didn't find it. It was sung famously by the Weavers as well as some western radio bands. Maybe even Bob Wills. I'm not putting my finger on those names right now. (old and dusty in the attic) The first verse goes: A lonely spot I know where no man can go Where the shadows have all the room I was riden free on that old SP Singin' a southern tune When a man come along made me hush my song Kicked me off a way out there Chorus: Eeeeeoodelediaeeaee Ooooooodelediaeeaee Thats all I can remember |
Subject: RE: BS: Train Songs From: NightWing Date: 05 Dec 00 - 03:41 PM Luke, try this link. The song sounds right. (I actually found two threads about this song *S*
BB, |
Subject: RE: BS: Train Songs From: Luke Date: 05 Dec 00 - 03:47 PM Thanks BB NightWing I was sure it was here somewhere. Luke |
Subject: Train songs? From: josiah_cantwell Date: 18 Feb 01 - 05:33 PM I'm working on a project for a pal. Can anyone suggest some good train songs, blues or rock? I've got songs ranging from 'Rock Island Line' by Johnny Cash to 'Hellbound Train' by Savoy Brown to 'Hear My Train A'Comin' " by Hendrix, but I'm looking more for real songs about trains and rail trips and events than songs that use trains as a metaphor (like Tull's 'Locomotive Breath" which is more about life than a train). Train songs? |
Subject: LYR ADD: DOESN'T ANYBODY KNOW MY NAME From: Lin in Kansas Date: 23 Oct 01 - 08:10 PM Lonesome EJ-- It doesn't appear that New River Train was ever discussed here. Lyrics are at this thread--great old bluegrass... Guest, EJ: The Glenn Yarborough song you were trying to think of is called "Doesn't Anybody Know My Name" by, believe it or not, Rod McKuen (well, I like him, but some folks may not). Lyrics may be found here, but I'll put them below as well, since a Forum search doesn't show them in the DT.
DOESN'T ANYBODY KNOW MY NAME And Doc Watson does a fine job on "Freight Train Blues." Lyrics for that can be found in this thread. Wow! great bunch of train songs--Does anyone have the lyrics to Texas 47 (mentioned above)?? And a midi or ABC, maybe? Lin
|
Subject: Lyr/Chords/Tune Add: I'M SO LONESOME I COULD CRY From: Lin in Kansas Date: 23 Oct 01 - 08:39 PM Oops, one more: SINSULL, is the Hank Williams song you mentioned this one?
I'M SO LONESOME I COULD CRY
MIDI file: Lonesome.MID Timebase: 1024 TimeSig: 3/4 24 8 This program is worth the effort of learning it. To download the March 10 MIDItext 98 software and get instructions on how to use it click here ABC format: X:1
|
Subject: Lyr Add: MILWAUKEE/ST. PAUL (Jerry Rasmussen) From: Jerry Rasmussen Date: 23 Oct 01 - 09:08 PM Milwaukee/St. Paul (Jerry Rasmussen) Walking down the tracks on a dusty day With the long steel rails so shiny Now they tore the railroad depot down And the tracks have all gone rusty Fishing off the edge of a railroad bridge You canf feel those steel rails humming Better put your bait and your bucket down 'cause the train will soon be coming All you got to do is to walk those ties And they're bound to lead you to the country Lie on your back in the tall, sweet grass Or you can take your dog and go hunting I could sit and watch those trains all day And the cars just keep on coming Chicago Northwestern, Milwaukee St. Paul And the steel rails keep on humming Words and music by Jerry Rasmussen |
Subject: Lyr Add: RAILROAD LADY From: harpgirl Date: 30 Oct 01 - 11:29 AM Railroad Lady by (????)
She's a railroad lady, just a little bit shady
South station in Boston to the stockyards of Austin
* Refrain
She's a railroad lady, just a little bit shady
Once a highballing loner thought he could own her
Now the rails are all rusty and the dining car's dusty
* Refrain
|
Subject: RE: BS: Train Songs From: harpgirl Date: 30 Oct 01 - 10:28 PM ...oh and I sing "But she hocked them for cold cash", left town on the Wabash. Made more sense to me....hg |
Subject: RE: BS: Train Songs From: Art Thieme Date: 01 Nov 01 - 01:35 AM Sorcha, I have always sung it as----------
The clickety sound of the southbound freight, That's how I heard it... Great song. Art Thieme |
Subject: RE: BS: Train Songs From: Art Thieme Date: 01 Nov 01 - 03:01 PM (only one "soul") Art |
Subject: RE: BS: Train Songs From: GUEST,Warren Date: 05 Nov 02 - 01:27 PM Don't forget Steve Fromholz, "Texas Trilogy," the middle section of which is "Train Ride." Texas Trilogy, Steve Fromholz |
Subject: RE: Train Songs From: GUEST,dLakota Date: 14 Nov 02 - 09:46 AM I'm looking for the lyrics to a song that starts "Silver Rails rolling down(round) the track.... like a ribbon in the wind..." A group used to sing it at the park by the Santa Fe Station in Lamy, NM when I lived there. Thanks for Freight Train. I met Elizabeth Cotton twenty some years ago. What a sweet, gentle sparkler! |
Subject: Lyr Add: NOT JUST A TRAIN (Kelly/Mann) From: GUEST Date: 17 May 03 - 04:33 PM Spirit of the West's "Not Just a Train": NOT JUST A TRAIN Geoffrey Kelly/John Mann 1989 I can strum a little; I can hold a chord This ain't the gospel and I ain't the Lord I'm no holy roller, but for what it's worth My freedom's a train ride to Heaven on Earth It's not just a train It's saying goodbye Saying hello To where we have been Where we might go What we have passed What we might see It's not just a train It's freedom to me Kids flatt'nin' pennies, as the iron horse rolls by Between the trains I see an old man, a face full of smiles A young woman crying as her lover leaves Gun on his shoulder and stripes on his sleeve It's not just a train It's saying goodbye Saying hello To where we have been Where we might go Places we've passed Places we'll see It's not just a train It's freedom to me Through a crack in the the slats, a harvest moon shines On Harper Lee's pages, I turn to kill time The car toads are waiting for me at the station To give a bum's rush to a frost bitten `bo It's not just a train It's saying goodbye Saying hello To where we have been And where we might go People we've passed People we'll see It's not just a train It's freedom to me Freedom to me Freedom to me Freedom... |
Subject: RE: Train Songs From: GUEST Date: 17 May 03 - 04:35 PM A couple of Lightfoot classics: "Steel Rail Blues" and "Canadian Railroad Trilogy" |
Subject: RE: Train Songs From: Gareth Date: 17 May 03 - 07:36 PM Mmmmmn ! Try this thread for the words of Dave Goulders " The Day we ran away ". Click 'Ere Superb Song !!!!! (and see the last part of this post for a story). And I am a tad suprised that McColl's "The Ballad of John Axon" has not had a mention. Now as an Ex(?) Anorak this thread raises the subject and also includes Bob Bolton's (AUS) and Wolfgang's (Germany) supperb transcription of the key song theme in "The Ballard of John Axon" < a href="http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=52629"> Click 'Ere BTW My Hornby model has been dismantled, cleaned of all old paint, and I am know getting on with the super detailing. It will require a "Fowler" 3500 gallon tender rather tha the "Stanier" 4000 gallon curverd side tender supplied by Hornby, but these are obtainable in the second hand shops. Then painting !!! Pictures will be posted in due time. On railway songs --- ? Cosher Bailey anyone ??? Now a little bit of digression on "The day we ran away". And this might give its age away. Once upon a time there was a Coal Field in Kent(UK) Coal was shipped from it in standard - unbraked - 16 and 20 ton wagons. The only breaking force was the breaks on the locomotive, and the van at the back (USA = Caboose). Now one dark night (thank God) A Coal Train out of Snowden Colliery (Kent) lost- due to a technical problem, the locomotive break (on a type 71 Electric Loco) comming down the bank (USA=Grade) from Selling - 700 tons of Coal took charge. Fortunnately it was late at night and the signalman at Faversham was able to give a clear run, once he realised there was a problem. It took the crew anothe 7 to 8 mile to regain control using the hand break and the rising bank at Teynham. Now the "second man" (= Drivers assistant) was a folky, and aquaintance of mine. Two weeks later he walked into the Faversham Folk Club in the "Chimney Boy"(??) to be greeted by a rendering of "The day we ran away". He did not see the funny side. As he said later " God knows what was in front of us, and we had a full load behind, they'd have sacked us if we'd jumped, and survived - and that **** thinks it was funny !!!" I can see his point. Gareth |
Subject: RE: Train Songs From: Gareth Date: 17 May 03 - 07:45 PM Oh "B****r" Click 'Ere for the Axon thread Gareth |
Subject: RE: Train Songs From: GUEST, GEST Date: 18 May 03 - 11:47 AM Some Newfoundland train songs, just to help this short thread along. :-) The Newfie Bullet Memories Of The Newfie Bullet The Engineer's Song Waiting At Gambo Station |
Subject: RE: Train Songs From: delphinium Date: 18 May 03 - 10:50 PM Eileen McGann has a good song about the importance of the railway in Canada - "Rolling Home Canadian" on her Journeys album (1995). The chorus goes: Rollin', rollin', Rollin' home, As long as I can hear the train I know I'm not alone. Stitching up this country Between my family and me, The railway ties are ties that bind, From sea to sea to sea. (The Journeys album also has a song called "Another Train" - which is not about a train.) |
Subject: RE: Train Songs From: Merritt Date: 19 May 03 - 08:58 AM What a great thread! Train Whistle Blues - Jimmie Rodgers (circa 1930) On the Atchison, Topeka & the Santa Fe - Johnny Mercer (1945) - this was a hit in '45! People Get Ready - "don't need no ticket, you just thank the Lord.." Working on the Railroad - used to play this in an instrumental duo; works really well as a funky, alternating bass fingerstyle sort of song The Train That Carried My Girl From Town - not sure who wrote; probably late 1920s; Mike Dowling does on his Beats Working album - Merritt |
Subject: RE: Train Songs From: smokeyjoe Date: 19 May 03 - 11:24 AM SINGING STEEL RAILS Well I stood at the side of the railroad line just waitin' for an eastbound train I heard a mighty roar and I knew for sure I was on my way again (cho.) I don't know just where I'm bound, I only know where I've been I can't seem to settle down, The road's my only friend Well I climbed aboard an old boxcar, and I watched the world pass by And I thought about my one true love, the one I left behind. (cho.) Well I think I'll ride this old freight train, just to see where it will go And I hope the singin' silver rails will ease my troubles so.... (cho.) -one of mine. A couple of others that I love to play: Boomer's Story -Ry Cooder Hobo's Lullabye -various Anniversary Blue Yodel (among many) -Jimmie Rogers -smokeyjoe; railfan, muscician, etc. |
Subject: RE: Train Songs From: fsharpdim7 Date: 19 May 03 - 11:57 AM Thinking about Johnny Cash and hoping he's doing ok - IMHO, his best train song was on Marty Stuart's cd, he did "One Last Ride," and Doc and Marty did the breaks - I don't think it gets any better. Also, I think the Carter family book says that AP was walking along and he heard Sara singing "Engine 143" - he followed the sound to her door - and the rest, as they say, is history. Shame they just were not more suited to each other in other ways. Chris |
Subject: RE: Train Songs From: Phot Date: 19 May 03 - 03:25 PM The best railway tune I know is a King or a Castle,13 on,full chat up Wellington bank!,..Bliss |
Subject: RE: Train Songs From: denise:^) Date: 19 May 03 - 04:57 PM "Jenny Dreamed of Trains," written by Guy Clark and Vince Gill, has been recorded several times, and is a fairly 'recent' train song. Denise:^) |
Subject: RE: Train Songs From: Mark Ross Date: 19 May 03 - 06:01 PM THE TRAIN THAT CARRIED MY GIRL FROM TOWN is by Frank Hutchison of West Virginia. Mark Ross |
Subject: RE: Train Songs From: Gareth Date: 19 May 03 - 06:45 PM Mmmmm ! Phot I am old enuf to remember the 9F's on the Ebbw Vale iron ore trains, or a 28XX up the bank from Pontypool - Man that was 2 cylinder heavy metal. Gareth - Ah! Gods Wonderful Railway. ! |
Subject: RE: Train Songs From: Phot Date: 20 May 03 - 01:27 AM Gareth, i can only agree, and talking of heavy metal, Saxon, Princess of the night, its all about a 9F! |
Subject: RE: Train Songs From: Li'l Aussie Bleeder Date: 20 May 03 - 03:02 AM I 'm having a vague day. To the best of my recollection, i think 'people get ready' was Angel Train. And did The Seekers do one called 'Morningtown Ride" L |
Subject: RE: Train Songs From: Phot Date: 24 May 03 - 12:19 PM Li'l Aussie Bleeder, yes The Seekers did do Morningtown Ride. I have very bad recollections of it!! Just ask the Christmas tree!! |
Subject: Lyr Add: RAILWAY WIDOW'S BLUES (John Warner) From: GUEST,Anne/NZ Date: 25 May 03 - 04:08 AM I have to add this Australian song! I perform it regularly at our folk club. This song is a railroad tune from a woman's perspective:
RAILWAY WIDOW'S BLUES
Come, all you women; hear me complain.
You pack his crib the night before.
Many the night you lie and dream
But you're all alone at the break of day,
The right-of-way's just out the back,
That man of mine, he's proud and tall;
Oh, he'll be back in another day,
So come, all you women; hear me complain. |
Subject: RE: Train Songs From: denise:^) Date: 16 Jun 03 - 12:09 PM "Morningtown Ride" is a very nice children's song written by Malvina Reynolds. I believe they have it listed under "lullabies" in Rise Up Singing, but I know they don't have it with the exact lyrics I learned as a child. It has also been made into a picture book. I don't think it was ever really intended to entertain adults--although the Irish Rovers covered it, too... Denise:^) |
Subject: RE: Train Songs From: GUEST,Jazzyjack Date: 16 Jun 03 - 01:09 PM Presently ,my favourite song to play is Stephen Fearing's " On The Great Divide " with great backup harmony from Jonelle Mosser. : hook " It's a long train and everybody has to ride " |
Subject: Lyr Add: THE LAST TRAIN - Harvey Andrews From: harvey andrews Date: 16 Jun 03 - 02:56 PM THE LAST TRAIN
It was the last train of the evening.
She could dance from dusk till dawning.
She was reading as I watched her
As we slowed, she closed her novel, |
Subject: RE: Train Songs From: mg Date: 16 Jun 03 - 11:09 PM anyone mention Danville Girl????? I haven't been back through the whole thread... I am tryi8ng to remember the words to an Ian Tyson song..lonely girls linger by the door..can't remember if it has trains in it or not.. mg |
Subject: RE: Train Songs From: Frankham Date: 17 Jun 03 - 11:57 AM There are so many. Not many know that the boogie-woogie style of piano playing came from the southwest by itinerant blues piano players emulating the sounds of the fast trains highballing by. They called it "fast Western". Weseley Wallace recorded Train 29 (?), the first boogie-woogie recording on the piano depicting a train ride he had. Traditional train songs include: Jay Gould's Daughter- Carl Sandburg's American Songbag Casey Jones by a wheel-house workman, Saunders who was reputed to write the original Way Out West, a pop country song of the thirties All Around the Watertank by the singing brakeman, Jimmy Rogers, 900 Miles, Train 45 and Old Rueben (all related) Train on the Island from Anthology of American Folk Music, Harry Smith ed. on Folkways The Train That Took My Gal From Town recorded by Frank Hutchinson, See Eloise Go Linin' Track (chain gang song) In the Pines Jerry Go and Ile That Car...Carl Sandburg, American Songbag Mormon Railway (Hoorah, Hooray)...Sam Hinton Variations of John Henry The Hellbound Train.... sung by Glenn Ohrlin Hedy West's rewrite on 500 Miles Thought I Heard That Katy When She Blows...Anthology...Harry Smith There's plenty more. Frank Hamilton |
Subject: RE: Train Songs From: katlaughing Date: 14 Sep 04 - 12:33 PM refresh |
Subject: RE: Train Songs From: Ron Davies Date: 15 Sep 04 - 06:56 AM Admittedly the songs he plays are by definition pre-1976 ( he calls his show The Obsolete Music Hour) but Dick Spottswood (WAMU public radio) plays 2 solid hours of nothing but train songs once a year. It used to be 3 hours, when his show was 3 hours long. Now he talks about how he has to leave so many out. What he plays the rest of the year is also great. |
Subject: RE: Train Songs From: Fred (Beetle) Bailey Date: 15 Sep 04 - 11:13 AM Magnificent thread! Since the original post solicited recent songs, how 'bout some help/comment/criticism (pm or otherwise) (or maybe even a title?) for a (c) work in progress? Did 'ja hear my daddy was an engineer Down the Eastern Seaboard Line Smoke and steam and a Georgia Dream And a baby got left behind When he went through -- and the whistle blew My momma she went to cookin' and we Moved further down the track In the smoke and damp of the labor camps And we never did look back 'Til she was gone -- and I went on Well, I headed west in the summer time Gonna see if I could find my way Through the B & O and the U.P., Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe And the Burlington -- and the Erie Lackawana When I'm laying awake at midnight I hear the lonesome sound One 'a these days it'll get in my ear And I'm gonna blow this town Go back out -- to where I been (or maybe alternatively??) Laying awake at midnight I can hear that lonesome song You wake up alone some morning, baby Then you'll know that I'll be gone But won't you please think well of me Now when I'm through my ramblin' I wouldn't want anybody sad Just tell all my good-time friends It was a pleasure being had But when I'm gone -- party on! (call me old enough to remember the sound of a Santa Fe coal-burner steaming through town on a summer's night) |
Subject: RE: Train Songs From: Tannywheeler Date: 15 Sep 04 - 06:49 PM Hally used to sing a song that started: "Trouble in mind -- I'm blue But I won't be blue always"... that had a "Train" verse in it: "I'm gonna lay my head On some lonesome railroad line And let the (train time here) come on and Satisfy my mind." Makes me shiver. Went through this thread, didn't see (might have missed) mention of Roy Acuff's "Take That Night Train to Memphis". Mother liked Roy Acuff. ..."Amd we'll have a JUBILEE Down in Memphis, Tennessee, And we'll shout HALLELUJAH all the way!" Amen. Tw |
Subject: RE: Train Songs From: mandotim Date: 15 Sep 04 - 07:04 PM How about 'Travelling by Steam' by Huw and Tony Williams? Covered by Fairport on Jewel in the Crown. |
Subject: RE: Train Songs From: Francy Date: 15 Sep 04 - 07:18 PM I'm presenting a concert in Toledo, Ooregon this Friday, September 17th called " When Steam Was King" w/ Larry Penn from Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Mark Dvorak from Chicagwe, Illinois.......the story of railroad in song and story.........Larry is a fine writer and a member of the Rose Tattoo and Mark is a fine singer, banjo picker and guitarist who also is a member of Weavermania..... Frank of Toledo |
Subject: RE: Train Songs From: Ron Davies Date: 15 Sep 04 - 10:31 PM Beetle- Song sounds really promising. Solidly in the tradition of lots of good old train songs. Curious about your rhyme scheme Verses 1 and 2--internal rhyme in line 3 of each e.g Smoke and steam and a Georgia dream In the smoke and damp of the labor camps but then the internal rhyme drops out. I think internal rhyme is great for this sort of song--is it possible you could carry it on through the rest of the song (3rd lines)? Love to hear the melody. The last words "party on" would probably not be in a traditional song. Depends on what your goal is--if traditional sound is not important, it's no problem. My hat's off to anybody who can write a traditional-sounding song-----congratulations! |
Subject: Lyr Add: Train songs lyrics link From: GUEST Date: 01 Jun 05 - 05:50 AM http://www.able2know.com/forums/about1143-0-asc-0.html |
Subject: RE: Train Songs From: GUEST,Box Car Date: 05 Jul 05 - 06:36 PM Songs about Trains and Trains in Songs |
Subject: RE: Train Songs From: SINSULL Date: 05 Jul 05 - 10:23 PM Lin from Kansas: Nope Snippets from memory: Just a kid acting smart I nearly broke my darlin's heart I guess I was too young to know. They put me on the Georgis train Tied me to a ball and chain. I heard that lonesome whistle blow. And my hair is white as the snow. I'll never see that gal of mine Lord, I'm in Georgia doing time. I heard that lonesome whistle blow. |
Subject: Lyr Add: FAST FREIGHT From: GUEST,Hanrod Date: 06 Jul 05 - 06:35 PM Well, no one has mentioned this, so I will mention my favorite train song, trying for (some of) the lyrics from memory -- don't know who wrote it, but from an old Kingston Trio album 30 years or so ago, with some great words, interesting collateral "train sounding" phrases and haunting, minor key, stuff... FAST FREIGHT As I lie awake and listen, as I lie awake and wait I wish the railroad didn't run so near; 'Cause the rattle and the clatter of that old fast freight Keeps a makin' music in my ear... Go bum again, go bum again; Well, clickety-clack 'n' clickety-clack The wheels are sayin' to the railroad track Well if ya go ya' can't come back, If ya' go ya' can't come back, If ya go-o-o-o...ya' can't come back. Well I wouldn't give a nickel for the bum I used to be I work as hard as any man in town; And I got a pretty girl and she thinks the world of me - A man 'd be a fool to let 'er down... CHORUS (above)... ...and other verses I can't remember. Look it up, it's worth it! ... even wrote my own (not exactly) train song lyrics, an interminably long piece that attempts to recount the history of black men in all the wars of this Country's history: TRAIN RIDE WITH ZACK Last night was thinkin' back to when, I met a black man on the train; In sixty-one, was discharged then, so I missed Vietnam. Old man said his name was Zack, had a bottle in a paper sack; He drank and passed the bottle back; I drank and did the same. We're standin' in the vestibule, between the cars the air was cool; The bottleneck, this fussy fool, I wiped before I drank. He said 'young soldier what's yer name - this whiskey kills the germs my friend; I drank and swallowed down my shame, and said my name was...Frank. When we're young, we're inclined to be shallow, When we're old, we're inclined to be sad; But when I think back to my train ride with Zack, I just think of the blessings I've had. I wore my proud-pressed uniform, those three red stripes there on my arm; My single ribbon meant no harm - to their side nor to ours. Looked like a while since he'd last slept, red eyes kept shifting right and left, An old cut creased his forehead cleft – a scarecrow man of scars. He said 'I'm AWOL from your war', I choked a laugh and swallowed hard, What would war want this old man for? - He said 'I've seen 'em all'. 'I fought in revolution days, the Colonel too, I was his slave; I heard the orders that he gave; he heard his country's call'. 'Then In '04 my name was 'York', with Lewis, slave to Captain Clark. Across the wild and wasteful stark Great Plains and mountains too. We journeyed up the Missouri, fought Mandan, Sioux and 'Ricaree, Wild animals you'll never see, exceptin' at the zoo.' 'In sixty-two I ran away, I knew there would be Hell to pay, And so I fought against the gray, a black man wearin' blue. Your President then freed the slaves, and I gave thanks to 'Honest Abe', But hunger took what freedom gave, some said 'twas over due.' 'So when I was free to come or go I soldiered with the Buffalo, We did your dirty work, you know, did what we had to do. Fought the western tribes of Indians, as they made their final stands; So many killed to win these lands - but Little Big Horns too.' 'In Cuba then in ninety-eight, of course the troop transport was late; That summer heat I learned to hate, for Teddy and for you. Up San Juan Hill and El Caney, the 9th and 10th black cavalry Our officers were white, but see, they died like black men too. The Western front in World War One, I carried shells for allied guns; I fell and thought my fightin's done, but it was not to be. The Arizona, World War Two, to be a mess-man was my due. I never heard the bomb that blew me out into the sea. 'Korean War was just too cold, by this time I was gettin' old; But equal treatment had me sold, five thousand black men died. Well, I can see it on your face, you 'spect I am a mental case; And Hell, I guess I know my place, I guess you think I lied.' I woke next morning down the line; asked every one I tried to find Him; 'hair of dog' was on my mind – no one knew who I meant. Well now I'm old, so long in tooth, I think I know the real truth; To shame my pride, my callow youth, old Zack was heaven sent. When we're young, we're inclined to be shallow, When we're old, we're inclined to be sad; But when I think back to my train ride with Zack I just think of the blessings I've had. Last night was thinkin' back to when, I met a black man on the train; 'Twas in the year of sixty-one … can't be … that young … again… ©HANROD Systems 9/2000 |
Share Thread: |
Subject: | Help |
From: | |
Preview Automatic Linebreaks Make a link ("blue clicky") |