Train, Train
Journey of Dreams: Railroad Reflections in The Oak Ridge Boys' 'Train, Train'
Lyrics
I lost a pretty penny on my daddy's farm
I faced financial loss on my father's farm.
To the railroad tracks that ran between
Refers to railroad tracks situated between the back porch and the barn.
The back porch and the barn
Describes the location of the railroad tracks.
Every time that locomotive would start
Every time the train started, it caused the ground to shake.
To shake the ground
Expresses the impact of the train's movement on the surroundings.
I'd beat it to the backyard and
Upon sensing the train, the speaker would hurry to the backyard.
I'd lay my Lincoln down
The speaker would place a coin (Lincoln) on the ground, possibly for luck or as an offering.
I'd signal to the engineer
The speaker would signal to the train's engineer.
He'd always let her blow
The engineer would respond by sounding the train's horn.
I'd count the cars, one by one
The speaker would count the passing train cars one by one.
Wishin' I could go
Expresses a desire to travel on the train.
Train train choo-choo train
Repetition of the sound of a train ("choo-choo") with an enthusiastic tone.
Heard that oooh oooh oooooohhhhhh
Expresses a powerful emotional response to the train sound.
And I've never been the same
The train experience has had a lasting impact on the speaker.
Train train choo-choo train
Repetition of the train sound with a positive influence on the speaker.
There's still a little rambling round
Suggests a lingering sense of adventure in the speaker's life.
Running through my veins
Indicates that the fascination with trains remains in the speaker's blood.
From the Blue Ridge Smoky Mountains
Refers to various geographical locations where the speaker encountered trains.
On L&N's old rails
Specifically mentions the Blue Ridge Smoky Mountains and L&N's old rails.
To the Kansas City Southern
Refers to the Kansas City Southern railway and sleeping arrangements in train cars.
Sleepin' with the mail
Continues to describe the speaker's experiences working with trains.
I cut steel through Pennsylvania
Indicates involvement in cutting steel on the P&LE railroad in Pennsylvania.
On the P&LE too saw the Colorado River from
Mentions the speaker's view of the Colorado River from a Rio Grande caboose.
A Rio Grande caboose
Highlights diverse experiences with different railroad companies.
Now every time that iron horse
Whenever a train approaches, the speaker recalls the distinctive sound.
Is comin' 'round the bend
The mention of the iron horse coming around the bend signals the imminent arrival of a train.
I hear that lonesome sound oh Lord
The sound of the train evokes a sense of nostalgia and longing in the speaker.
And there I go again
The speaker is drawn to the experience of trains whenever they are present.
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