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,
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I grew up here on Bourbon Street
Playin' for the beer and tips
Livin' by the Poncha Train
Watchin' drunks and sailin' ships
I'm sittin' on a midnight train
Gonna bury momma on my birthday
And never's gonna be too soon
To see these streets of Vieux Carre'
Thirty years ago
Momma was a pretty bride
She took this train to New Orleans
Made a mask for Mardi Gras
And never took it off it seems
Daddy drank away their honeymoon
He never wore his wedding band
They fought just like a hurricane
But she fell in love with Dixieland
Now I'm on a train to nowhere
To find the future in my past
I'm on a train to nowhere
Feelin' like a no one
How long will this last?
Goin' nowhere fast
Nine months later to the day
She labored deep into the night
I was the baby in her arms
And she was weakened by the fight
I grew up fast I grew up hard
The alleyways were my backyard
Momma sang at Pat O'Riley's
And I sat in with the band on Fridays
Now I'm on a train to nowhere
To find the future in my past
I'm on a train to nowhere
Feelin' like a no one
How long will this last?
Goin' nowhere fast
Tonight we'll cross the Mason-Dixon line
Finally takin' Momma home
She will find a restin' place
Beneath the garden made of stone
And I came here to find tomorrow
Now I hear my station name
If I can just forget my past
Maybe I can start again
Now I'm on a train to nowhere
To find the future in my past
I'm on a train to nowhere
But this trip will be my last
Yeah if I can just get goin'
And get myself on track
Off this train to nowhere
It's goin' nowhere fast...
I grew up here on Bourbon Street
Playin' for the beer and tips
Livin' by the Poncha Train
Watchin' drunks and sailin' ships
I'm sittin' on a midnight train
Gonna bury momma on my birthday
And never's gonna be too soon
To see these streets of Vieux Carre'
Thirty years ago
Momma was a pretty bride
She took this train to New Orleans
Made a mask for Mardi Gras
And never took it off it seems
Daddy drank away their honeymoon
He never wore his wedding band
They fought just like a hurricane
But she fell in love with Dixieland
Now I'm on a train to nowhere
To find the future in my past
I'm on a train to nowhere
Feelin' like a no one
How long will this last?
Goin' nowhere fast
Nine months later to the day
She labored deep into the night
I was the baby in her arms
And she was weakened by the fight
I grew up fast I grew up hard
The alleyways were my backyard
Momma sang at Pat O'Riley's
And I sat in with the band on Fridays
Now I'm on a train to nowhere
To find the future in my past
I'm on a train to nowhere
Feelin' like a no one
How long will this last?
Goin' nowhere fast
Tonight we'll cross the Mason-Dixon line
Finally takin' Momma home
She will find a restin' place
Beneath the garden made of stone
And I came here to find tomorrow
Now I hear my station name
If I can just forget my past
Maybe I can start again
Now I'm on a train to nowhere
To find the future in my past
I'm on a train to nowhere
But this trip will be my last
Yeah if I can just get goin'
And get myself on track
Off this train to nowhere
It's goin' nowhere fast...
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Nowhere Fast Lyrics as written by Warren Douglas
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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