Steel Rail Blues
Journey of Love: Riding the Steel Rail Home
Lyrics
Well I got my mail late last night a letter from a girl who found the time to write
Received a letter from a girl who took the time to write.
To her lonesome boy somewher's in the night
Refers to himself as a lonely boy somewhere in the night.
She sent me a railroad ticket too to take me to her lovin' arms
Received a railroad ticket from the girl to join her.
And the big steel rail gonna carry me home to the one I love
Expresses anticipation of the train (big steel rail) taking him home to his loved one.
Well I been up tight most every night walkin' around the streets of this old town
Describes feeling tense and walking the streets of the town without friends.
Not a friend around to tell my troubles to
Expresses loneliness with no one to share troubles with.
My good old car she done broke down cause I drove it into the ground
His car is broken down, emphasizing the difficult situation.
And the big steel rail gonna carry me home to the one I love
Reiterates the hope that the big steel rail will take him home to his loved one.
Well I look over yonder across that plain
Looks across a plain, observing the approaching train (big drive wheels).
The big drive wheels a poundin' along the ground
Describes the loud sound of the train's drive wheels.
Gonna get on board and I'll be homeward bound
Expresses the intention to board the train and head home.
Now I ain't had a home cooked meal and Lord I need one now
Expresses the need for a home-cooked meal.
And the big steel rail gonna carry me home to the one I love
Reiterates the hope that the big steel rail will take him home to his loved one.
Well here I am with my hat in my hand
Expresses a sense of humility with a hat in hand.
Standin' on the broad highway will you give a ride
Asks for a ride from someone on the highway.
To a lonesome boy who missed the train last night
Describes missing the train the previous night.
I went in town for one last round I gambled my ticket away
Admits to gambling the ticket away in town.
And the big steel rail won't carry me home to the one I love
Expresses the consequence of losing the ticket; the big steel rail won't take him home.
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