Milwaukee
Al Jarreau Lyrics

Well well well well well
The singer expresses an emphatic greeting.

Keep on talkin' 'bout a sweet train
The singer repeatedly mentions a train that is likely significant.

Born in my mama's dream to be happy
The train represents something that the singer's mother had always wanted for her child: happiness.

Sweet train, keep on rollin'
The artist urges the train to continue moving.

Sweet train, Milwaukee road
The train is identified as belonging to the Milwaukee Road company.

See the moon movin' along the sky, yes
The singer observes the moon moving across the sky.

Here's a car movin' along the highway
The singer observes a car traveling on the highway.

You movin' to California with me, I'm almost
The artist is almost relocated to California, likely with the intent of finding happiness.

Two thousand miles from my home sweet home
The artist is far from their beloved home.

Two thousand miles from the arms that bore me
The artist is far from the person who gave birth to them.

Milwaukee
The word represents the singer's home.

Yeah yeah, talkin' 'bout Milwaukee
The artist draws attention to their feelings about Milwaukee.

Oh this train screamin' touched the sky
The train produces a sound that is likened to reaching the sky.

There's a rain cloudin' the road before me
The singer is facing obstacles that could make their journey challenging.

Strange moanin' and now
The singer also hears a strange moaning sound.

What did we thought that I would be
The artist questions their own expectations of their future.

Find myself
The artist is searching for a sense of identity or purpose.

But I keep singin' roll on, Milwaukee road
The singer sings about the Milwaukee Road train as if it is guiding them on their journey.

Roll in the rain and cold
The singer accepts that their journey may be difficult and uncomfortable.

Don't you know this train Born in my mama's dream to be happy
The artist repeats the idea of the train being tied to their mother's desire for them to be happy.

It moves me
The artist is emotionally affected by the train.

Got to warm up the tracks and cold
The artist urges the train to keep moving and creating a path forward.

Well let me tell you somethin'
The singer wants to share some information or insight.

Now you don't know how they bring me down
The artist is talking about something that negatively affects them.

Sometimes they try to bring me down
The singer implies that others intentionally or unintentionally try to harm them.

Let me inform you
The singer transitions to presenting an explanation or revealing a truth.

Sometimes scrappin' and scratchin' my back
The singer is often struggling and in need of help or support.

Good man, well well
The artist uses this phrase to signal a change in tone or topic.

And I got the greatest urge to leave this town
The artist feels a strong desire to escape their surroundings.

A dirty town of broken dreams And broken hearts and broken lives
The singer describes their hometown as a place without hope or happiness.

And twisted ghostly songs and souls And wailin' sunsets
The singer describes an eerie, melancholy atmosphere in their hometown.

And they say now don't you leave this town
The artist acknowledges that others may tell them not to leave their hometown.

Got to stick around now, kid Just to see it crumble to the ground
The artist implies that their hometown is on the brink of collapse and someone may want to witness its downfall.

Tell me, say brother, don't leave this town
The artist is addressed by someone close to them who urges them not to leave their hometown.

Now stick around Watch it crumble to the ground
The singer's companion wants them to stay and witness the hometown's collapse.

I wake up early, yes I wake up early, Lord I wake up early in the mornin'
The artist reveals a habit of waking up early in the morning.

Sweatin' and cryin' and wailin'
The singer experiences intense emotions that may manifest as physical symptoms.

Lord, I been tryin', tryin' To pull some good luck my way
The singer has made efforts to improve their circumstances but has not had success.

And all I need is someone to love me
The singer desires love and affection from someone else.

Gonna roll in the rain and cold
The artist is prepared to continue their journey through difficult conditions.

You're so fine, singin' roll on, Milwaukee road
The artist explicitly praises the Milwaukee Road train for its significance.

Yeah yeah, got to get it together Gonna be happy, boy Get yourself together
The singer encourages themselves (and the listener) to make positive changes and work towards happiness.