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Fool For A Lonesome Train Lyrics
It’s late and I can’t sleep
I’ve made promises that I can’t keep
Cobblestones and broken bones
He has a kingdom but he’s got no home
Last night is still ringin’ in my head
Like that lonesome whistle in the rain
Lord I’m a fool for a lonesome train
Oh I’m a fool for a lonesome train
The lifetimes we’ve left behind with strangers
Promises and lies, both have their dangers
Now I just can’t be wrong enough
And I can’t hide for long enough
So far away, but I still feel your pain
Lord I’m a fool for a lonesome train
Lord I’m a fool for a lonesome train
I try to say goodbye, but I never got your name
Whoa I’m a fool for a lonesome train
Lord I’m a fool for a lonesome train
I’m your fool for a long summer rain
I know it sounds crazy, but I’m painfully shamed
Whoa I’m a fool for a lonesome, lonesome train
I’ve made promises that I can’t keep
Cobblestones and broken bones
He has a kingdom but he’s got no home
Last night is still ringin’ in my head
Like that lonesome whistle in the rain
Oh I’m a fool for a lonesome train
Promises and lies, both have their dangers
Now I just can’t be wrong enough
And I can’t hide for long enough
So far away, but I still feel your pain
Lord I’m a fool for a lonesome train
I try to say goodbye, but I never got your name
Whoa I’m a fool for a lonesome train
I’m your fool for a long summer rain
I know it sounds crazy, but I’m painfully shamed
Whoa I’m a fool for a lonesome, lonesome train
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The second to last line of this song should be "I know it sounds crazy, but I'm painfully sane."
Which, I just happen to think, is one of the best lines of this song. I think this song can be interpreted several different ways. But to me, it's about someone who just can't fully commit to anyone..goes thru life having superficial relationships - "the lifetimes we've left behind with strangers.." And now they are reflecting on those relationships with remorse. Wondering about all the "what-if's" of his past. And he can't find closure, because there was no explination for his actions "I try to say goodbye, but I never got your name.."
I really love this song - its so bittersweet. Also the guitar and harmonica throughout it definitely remind me of neil young
This is one of my top 5 favorite Ben Harper songs. The meaning of it to me varies when I hear it.
By that I mean sometimes I think when he says he's a fool for a lonesome train he means at a certain point in each of his relationships, he leaves to pursue something else which puts him alone. He is basically choosing to leave the relationship when it gets deep, like he is scared of getting past a certain emotional or commitment point in a relationship. "I've made promises that I can't keep" meaning he tells the girls he wants it to last forever, but it's eating at his conscious because he knows he won't let it last.
Then sometimes (because this is more personal to me) I think it means when he sees a person alone that is a "diamond in the rough", he pursues them. Then once that girl is better, he moves on to the next person to help, rather than just finding someone that doesn't need the help. In this interpretation I believe "Lonely Train" to mean someone that needs his help, someone that hasn't really figured relationships or life in general out. I know this probably has nothing to do with why he wrote it, but sometimes the personal meaning a song takes to an individual is as important as the original purpose of that song.
aquariusdream - I agree about the Neil Young sound, I thought of it the first time I heard the song.