This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
Train I ride, sixteen coaches long
Train I ride, sixteen coaches long
Well, that long black train got my baby and gone
Train, train, comin' 'round, 'round the bend
Train, train, comin' 'round the bend
Well, it took my baby, but it never will again
No, not again
Train, train, comin' down, down the line
Train, train, comin' down, down the line
Well, it's bringin' my baby, 'cause she's mine all, all mine
She's mine, all, all mine
Train, train, comin' 'round, 'round the bend
'Round, 'round the bend
Train, train, comin' 'round, 'round the bend
Well, it took my baby, but it never will again
Never will again
(Ooh, whoa)
Train I ride, sixteen coaches long
Well, that long black train got my baby and gone
Train, train, comin' 'round, 'round the bend
Train, train, comin' 'round the bend
Well, it took my baby, but it never will again
No, not again
Train, train, comin' down, down the line
Train, train, comin' down, down the line
Well, it's bringin' my baby, 'cause she's mine all, all mine
She's mine, all, all mine
Train, train, comin' 'round, 'round the bend
'Round, 'round the bend
Train, train, comin' 'round, 'round the bend
Well, it took my baby, but it never will again
Never will again
(Ooh, whoa)
Lyrics submitted by smallwonderrobot
Mystery Train Lyrics as written by Sam Phillips Herman Parker Jr.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Sentric Music, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
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Its amazing to observe almost nil comments on this great singer!
The lyrics are quite straightforward, without metaphors. The song's main appeal lies in the guitar work, simple-sounding but deceptively difficult to play. Originally written by Sam Phillips and recorded by Junior Parker, another Sun Studios artist.
Magnifique!
Mystery Train is arguably the platonic ideal of Sam Phillips’ million dollar idea.
<2:00 of the greatest rock n roll you’ll ever get to hear.