Everyone knew she was gonna be fast
Everyone said they could build her to last
10,000 tons of hurtlin' steel
Screamin' round the curves nobody at the wheel

Everyone said don't pay it any mind
There's a pot of gold waitin' at the end of the line
Just move with the eye of the hurricane
You'll never get off this runaway train

Nobody cared when they piled on board
And the doors snapped shut and the engines roared
They pushed to the front
Some fell to the back
Buyin' and sellin' every inch of the track
Deep in the engines fire in the hole
Dark skinned workers shovelin' coal
All singin' their sad refrain
We'll never get off this runaway train

Up in the diner everybody decked out in their finery
Can't see the wreck comin' up ahead
With their bellies full of wine
It's the last thing going through their minds
So proud of the engine proud of the speed
Call for the porter give them everything they need
Stare through the glass feel no pain
Don't even know they're on a runaway train

Long after midnight a pitiful few sound the alarm
Don't know what else to do
Bangin' on the doors of the cabin and crew
Hey we gotta slow down or we won't make it through
Sleepy riders don't want to wake
Or suffer the shock when they put on the brake
Don't want to question , don't want to complain
Rather keep ridin' on this runaway train

Runaway train


Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings

Runaway Train Lyrics as written by Eliza Gilkyson

Lyrics © Bluewater Music Corp.

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Runaway Train song meanings
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    General Comment

    I was told it is about the end of capitalism and the whole consumption/destruction/wasteful mentality. That was how I found the artist; her song Party’s over seems like it could be the same thing. Not that I necessarily agree with her viewpoint.

    But I don’t necessarily disagree either.

    She sounds great. Time to look for one of her CDs. Guess that shows my age. Also that this song makes me think of Locomotive Breath.

    Graycenphilon June 13, 2023   Link

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