In the Pines
Journey Through the Pines: Unveiling Tales of Longing and Loss
Lyrics
The longest train I ever saw
The narrator recalls witnessing the longest train ever on the Georgia line.
Went down that Georgia line
Describes the direction of the train, indicating it traveled along the Georgia line.
The engine passed at six o'clock
Specifies that the engine of the train passed at six o'clock.
And the cab passed by at nine
Mentions that the cab of the train passed by at nine o'clock.
In the pines, in the pines
Introduces the setting of "In the pines" where the sun never shines, creating a melancholic atmosphere.
Where the sun never shines
Reiterates the desolate environment of the pines where sunlight is absent.
And we shiver when the cold wind blows
Expresses the feeling of shivering when the cold wind blows, emphasizing the harsh conditions in the pines.
I asked my captain for the time of day
The narrator inquires about the time from their captain, highlighting a sense of disorientation or detachment from time.
He said he throwed his watch away
The captain responds by claiming to have discarded his watch, adding to the theme of timelessness or loss of time.
A long steel rail and a short cross tie
Describes the components of the railroad track, a long steel rail, and a short cross tie, possibly symbolizing the journey of life.
I'm on my way back home
States the narrator's intention to return home, suggesting a journey or quest.
Little girl, little girl, what have I done
The narrator questions a little girl about the reason for her mistreatment, expressing confusion or remorse.
That makes you treat me so
Asks why the little girl is treating the narrator poorly, prompting reflection on personal actions and their consequences.
You caused me to weep, you caused me to mourn
Attributes weeping and mourning to the girl's actions, implying emotional distress caused by the relationship.
You caused me to leave my home
States that the girl's actions led to the narrator leaving home, indicating a significant impact on their life.
My father was an engineer
Reveals the narrator's father as an engineer, connecting to the earlier mention of the train and suggesting a familial tie to the railway.
Died a mile out of town
Reports the father's death a mile out of town, introducing a tragic event and a sense of distance from civilization.
His head was found in the driving gear
Describes the gruesome discovery of the father's head in the driving gear, intensifying the tragic nature of the incident.
But his body was never found
States that the father's body was never found, deepening the mystery and sorrow surrounding his demise.
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