Spanish Train
The Eternal Chess: Souls, Fate, and the Spanish Train's Midnight Ride
Lyrics
There's a Spanish train that runs between
There's a train connecting Guadalquivir and old Saville in Spain.
Guadalquivir and old Saville
It runs even in the dead of night, and people believe it still operates.
And at dead of night the whistle blows
When the train whistles at night, it causes concern and prompts people to take precautions.
And people hear she's running still
There's a superstition that the souls of the dead fill this train.
And then they hush their children back to sleep
Describing the fear and belief that many deceased souls ride this train.
Lock the doors, upstairs they creep
-For it is said that the souls of the dead
-Fill that train ten thousand deep
-Well a railwayman lay dying with his people by his side
Depicting a dying railwayman surrounded by family, facing the Devil awaiting his soul.
His family were crying, knelt in prayer before he died
-But above his bed just a waiting for the dead
-Was the Devil with a twinkle in his eye
-Well God's not around and look what I've found, this one's mine
A confrontation between the Devil and the Lord over the departing soul, with the Devil claiming ownership.
Just then the Lord himself appeared in a blinding flash of light
-And shouted at the Devil, get thee hence to endless night
-But the Devil just grinned and said I may have sinned
-But there's no need to push me around
-I got him first so you can do your worst
-He's going underground
-But I think I'll give you one more chance
The Devil challenges the Lord to a game for the souls of the dead.
Said the Devil with a smile
-So throw away that stupid lance
-It's really not your style
-Joker is the name, poker is the game
-We'll play right here on this bed
-And then we'll bet for the biggest stakes yet
-The souls of the dead
-And I said look out, Lord, He's going to win
Tension rises as the Devil seems likely to win the game and claim the souls.
The sun is down and the night is riding in
-That train is dead on time, many souls are on the line
-Oh Lord, He's going to win
-Well the railwayman he cut the cards
A card game unfolds between the Devil and the Lord, symbolizing their struggle for souls.
And he dealt them each a hand of five
-And for the Lord, he was praying hard
-Or that train he'd have to drive
-Well the Devil he had three aces and a king
-And the Lord, he was running for a straight
-He had the queen and the knave and nine and ten of spades
-All he needed was the eight
-And then the Lord he called for one more card
The Lord misses a crucial card, and the Devil cheats, enhancing his chances of winning.
But he drew the diamond eight
-And the Devil said to the son of God
-I believe you've got it straight
-So deal me one for the time has come
-To see who'll be the king of this place
-But as he spoke, from beneath his cloak
-He slipped another ace
-Ten thousand souls was the opening bid
The bidding for souls escalates, the Devil manipulating the situation in his favor.
And it soon went up to fifty nine
-But the Lord didn't see what the Devil did
-And he said that suits me fine
-I'll raise you high to a hundred and five
-And forever put an end to your sins
-But the Devil let out a mighty shout, my hand wins
-And I said Lord, oh Lord, you let him win
The Devil claims victory despite the Lord's plea, suggesting the victory of evil over good.
The sun is down and the night is riding in
-That train is dead on time, many souls are on the line
-Oh Lord, don't let him win
-Well that Spanish train still runs between
The fear persists about the train carrying souls, symbolizing an ongoing battle between good and evil.
Guadalquivir and old Saville
-And at dead of night the whistle blows
-And people fear she's running still
-And far away in some recess
A metaphorical depiction of ongoing conflict between the Lord and the Devil, where the Devil still cheats and wins souls.
The Lord and the Devil are now playing chess
-The Devil still cheats and wins more souls
-And as for the Lord, well, he's just doing his best
-And I said Lord, oh Lord, you've got to win
A plea for the Lord to win the ongoing battle against evil, emphasizing the stakes involving souls.
The sun is down and the night is riding in
-That train is still on time, oh my soul is on the line
-Oh Lord, you've got to win
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