There might be some other BANDs, I don't know.
Mystery Train
Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Train arrive 16 coaches long
Well that long black train
Got my baby and gone
Train train rolling round the bend
Train train rolling round the bend
Well it took my baby
Come down to the station
Meet my baby at the gate
Asked the station master
If the train's running late
He said "if you're a-waiting
On the 444
I hate to tell you son
That train don't stop here anymore"
Train train rolling down down the line
Train train rolling down the line
Well it took my baby
And left poor me behind
Heard that whistle blowing
It was the middle of the night
When i got down to the station
The train was pulling out of sight
Mystery train smoking down the track
Mystery train smoking down the track
Well i don't want no ride
Just bring my baby back
The Band's "Mystery Train" is a song that tells a story of heartbreak, loss, and longing. The first verse of the song sets the scene: a train has arrived with 16 coaches and taken the singer's lover away. The second verse sees the train roll around the bend and once again separates the singer from their love. In the third verse, the singer goes to the train station in hopes of meeting their lover but is met with disappointment as the train no longer stops there. The fourth and final verse describes the haunting sound of the train whistle blowing in the middle of the night and the singer's desperation for the train to bring back their love even though they don't want a ride.
The song speaks to the universal experience of loss and the emotional impact it can have on a person. The train serves as a metaphor for the journey of life and the various twists and turns that can take us away from the people we love. The haunting quality of the melody coupled with the melancholic lyrics make for a truly memorable and emotive song.
Line by Line Meaning
Train arrive 16 coaches long
The train came with 16 carriages
Well that long black train
Got my baby and gone
The black train took away the singer's lover
Train train rolling round the bend
Well it took my baby
Away from me again
The train came around the bend and took the singer's baby (lover) away again
Come down to the station
Meet my baby at the gate
Asked the station master
If the train's running late
He said "if you're a-waiting
On the 444
I hate to tell you son
That train don't stop here anymore"
The singer went to the station to meet their lover but the station master informed them that the train that the lover was on no longer stops at this station
Train train rolling down down the line
Well it took my baby
And left poor me behind
The train went down the line and left the singer behind while taking their lover
Heard that whistle blowing
It was the middle of the night
When i got down to the station
The train was pulling out of sight
The singer heard the train whistle blowing in the middle of the night and when they got to the station, the train had already left
Mystery train smoking down the track
Well i don't want no ride
Just bring my baby back
The mysterious train was smoking as it went down the tracks but the singer did not want a ride on it, they only wanted their lover back
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HERMAN PARKER JR., SAM PHILLIPS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lvlimo394
In the midst of Butterfield's blazing harmonica and Levon's great vocal, Robbie's blistering performance throughout is almost overlooked. Almost.
@davidbartley989
Levon is amazing. He is "in the zone" with this song!
@tattyshoesshigure5731
The best version of this great song I’ve ever heard… just amazing! Paul Butterfield’s harmonica playing is phenomenal, so nice to see that broad grin Levon flashes him… like “yeah… I’m really digging this man!”
@johncopeland3826
Listen to Robbie's unbelievable rhythm guitar all through this song ! Quite magical .
@peterwalsh5068
Mr Butterfield man. No one played the harp like this geezer xxxx
@fblauer
So many highlights to a great concert.
@veronicatyler8109
Sonny Boy would be so PROUD
@emospiderbutton
What a tune
@tomstack5285
Garth is amazing! That jews harp sound is great!
@mikeevans5810
Butterfield was the best