In the rock (and roll) community, Bill Monroe may be best known via one of Elvis Presley's earliest recordings at Sun Records, that of Monroe's 'Blue Moon of Kentucky'. Patsy Cline also made a highly regarded version of this song.
Brakeman
Bill Monroe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Portland main is just the same as sunny Tennessee
Any old place I hang my hat is, home sweet home to me
Went down to the depot and I looked up on the board
I went down to the depot and I looked up on the board
It read it's good times here, but better on down the road
Eat my breakfast here, get my dinner in New Orleans
I'm going to get me a momma, Lord, I ain't never seen
Where was you momma, when the train left the shed?
Where was you momma, when the train left the shed?
Standin' in my front door, wishin' to God, I was dead
The lyrics of Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass Boys' song Brakeman's Blues conveys the longing of a train brakeman to be on the move once again. The first verse emphasizes the idea that the brakeman feels at home wherever he is, as he sings "Portland main is just the same as sunny Tennessee, any old place I hang my hat is, home sweet home to me." He does not necessarily need a specific physical location to feel like he belongs, rather he is comfortable wherever his work takes him.
In the second verse, the brakeman is checking the board for his next train and sees that "it's good times here, but better on down the road." He's ready to leave and continue his travels, even if it means leaving behind the present situation. The third verse expresses his desire for a partner on his journey, stating that he's "going to get me a momma, Lord, I ain't never seen."
Line by Line Meaning
Portland main is just the same as sunny Tennessee
To me, it doesn't matter where I am, as long as I have a place to call home
Went down to the depot and I looked up on the board
When I arrived at the train station, I checked the schedule
It read it's good times here, but better on down the road
The train timetable showed that while things might be good here, they're bound to be even better elsewhere
Eat my breakfast here, get my dinner in New Orleans
I'll stay here as long as I need to, but I have plans to leave for New Orleans later today
I'm going to get me a momma, Lord, I ain't never seen
I'm looking forward to finding a woman to be with, who I've never met before
Where was you momma, when the train left the shed?
When the train departed, I wondered where my mother was
Standin' in my front door, wishin' to God, I was dead
I envisioned my mother standing in the doorway, wishing that I had never been born
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: JIMMIE RODGERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind