Tell the Engineer
Heartache on the Tracks: A Tale of Departure and Longing
Lyrics
Somebody ought to tell that engineer
Expressing the need to communicate with the train engineer
He don't have to blow his whistle
Suggesting that the engineer doesn't need to sound the whistle so early
Not so early in the morning
Emphasizing the early morning disturbance caused by the train whistle
Tell him to take his train
Advising the engineer to continue the journey without unnecessary delays
Move it down the line
Instructing the engineer to move the train forward
My heart's full of sorrow
Expressing deep sadness or regret
My baby left here late last night
Describing the departure of the speaker's baby the previous night
Disappeared right out of sight
Noting the sudden disappearance of the baby out of sight
She ain't coming back it's clear
Conveying the realization that the baby won't return
Tell that engineer
Reiterating the need to inform the engineer about the personal situation
I am just a poor millers son
Introducing the speaker as a poor miller's son
I grind buckwheat into flour
Describing the speaker's daily task of grinding buckwheat into flour
I work hard everyday
Highlighting the speaker's hard work every day
When I get home at night
Expressing weariness upon returning home at night
I'm a little tired
Indicating the speaker's fatigue
I don't have that much to say
Conveying the speaker's limited speech or communication at night
She just wouldn't understand
Explaining the lack of understanding from the departed baby
She wanted more than just a man
Stating the baby's desire for more than just a simple man
She rode that train right out of here
Narrating the departure of the baby via train
Tell that engineer
Reiterating the need to inform the engineer about the personal situation
Somebody ought to tell that paperboy
Suggesting the need to communicate with the paperboy
Throwing it up against my door
Complaining about the way the paper is thrown against the door
I sure could use some news
Expressing a desire for news delivered by the paperboy
It's been too many years
Indicating the passage of too many years
I've cried too many tears
Referring to the speaker's excessive crying over the years
I've paid too many dues
Highlighting the speaker's payment of numerous dues or hardships
Somebody ought to go up to that station
Suggesting the need to inform those waiting at the station
Where they're just standing round and waiting
Describing people standing around and waiting at the station
Tell them what's been going on around here
Calling for an update on the events around the speaker's location
Tell that engineer
Reiterating the need to inform the engineer about the personal situation
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