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Been on a Train Lyrics
been on a train
baby, did you hear the whistle blow?
been on a train north
baby, did you hear the whistle blow?
I saw a man take a needle full of hard drug
and die slow
been on a train
and I’m never gonna be the same
There’s a bright light in the north wind
gonna bring you home
Mister, there’s a bright light in the north wind
it’s gonna bring you home
He said, “Sweet darling woman
leave me alone”
been on a train
and I’m never gonna be the same
You got more tracks on you, baby
than the tracks of this train
You got no guts, no gospel
and you got no brain
He said, “I got just one thing
gonna soothe my pain”
No, no
damn you, mister
and I dragged him out the door
damn you, mister
and I dragged him out the door
he died in the morning sun
and I won’t go north no more
I suspect there’s a train
going north in a month or two
I still hear his words
He said, “There’s nothing left to say or do”
but mister, you were wrong
and I’m gonna sing my song for you
been on a train
and I’m never gonna be the same
baby, did you hear the whistle blow?
been on a train north
baby, did you hear the whistle blow?
I saw a man take a needle full of hard drug
and die slow
and I’m never gonna be the same
gonna bring you home
Mister, there’s a bright light in the north wind
it’s gonna bring you home
He said, “Sweet darling woman
leave me alone”
and I’m never gonna be the same
than the tracks of this train
You got no guts, no gospel
and you got no brain
He said, “I got just one thing
gonna soothe my pain”
No, no
damn you, mister
and I dragged him out the door
damn you, mister
and I dragged him out the door
he died in the morning sun
and I won’t go north no more
going north in a month or two
I still hear his words
He said, “There’s nothing left to say or do”
but mister, you were wrong
and I’m gonna sing my song for you
and I’m never gonna be the same
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WOW!!!! There really isn't any way to explain this song .. Laura Nyro pretty much spells it out there for you in black and white. If you still don't get it, not sure what I can say to help.
this is an AMAZING song about not only hard drugs, but also about the human condition and why someone would want to inject enough drug to kill. some people have simply had enough pain in their life .. they've given up and they'll do anything to leave our reality.
This song is simply about an encounter with such a person.
I cannot imagine a more moving way to present this event to the general public. Laura Nyro's lyrics are simply STUNNING in this song.
The guy just wants to leave this earth - he doesn't care about dignity or anything else society may dictate. He just wants to check out.
But, despite his disinterest, his life simply won't be forgot .. due to the kindness and understanding of a brilliant songwritter who promises to make his story into a song.
God bless this poor soul (and others like him) .. and God bless Laura Nyro.
@tsreyb That's the thing about Laura Nyro. She either puts it right out there directly into your heart. Or the lyrics are shadowy and inscrutable. I agree. Not here.
@tsreyb That's the thing about Laura Nyro. She either puts it right out there directly into your heart. Or the lyrics are shadowy and inscrutable. I agree. Not here.