Mystery Train
Lost Love on a Long Black Train: Roger Miller's Melancholic Tale
Lyrics
Train I ride
The speaker is on a train.
Sixteen coaches long
The train has sixteen coaches, indicating its considerable length.
Train I ride
Repetition of the train's length, emphasizing its significance.
Sixteen coaches long
Reiteration of the train's length, possibly underscoring its importance or impact.
Well that long black train's got my baby and gone
A metaphorical "long black train" has taken the speaker's baby away.
Train, train
A train is approaching, mentioned in a rhythmic manner.
Comin' round the bend
The train is rounding a bend, signifying a change or twist in the situation.
Train, train
Repetition of the train's imminent arrival, creating a sense of anticipation.
Comin' round, round the bend
The train is rounding the bend, but now emphasizing the circular nature of its path.
Well it took my baby, but it never will again
Although the train took the speaker's baby before, it won't happen again.
Train, train
Another train is mentioned, this time moving down the line.
Comin' down, down the line
Repetition of the train moving, emphasizing its progression.
Train, train
Similar to lines 7-10, indicating the movement of a train along a path.
Comin' down, down the line
Reiteration of the train's movement down the line.
Well it's bringing my baby, 'cause she's mine all mine,
The train is bringing the speaker's baby, reinforcing hope or reunion.
All mine, all mine
Expression of possessiveness and love, emphasizing the speaker's connection to the baby.
Train, train
A train is approaching again, mirroring the earlier instances.
Comin' round the bend
Similar to line 8, the train is rounding a bend.
Train, train
Repetition of the train's imminent arrival with a circular path.
Comin' round, round the bend
Despite the past loss, the train won't take the baby again.
Well it took my baby, but it never will again
Reiteration of the idea that the speaker's baby is safe from the train's influence.
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