The album captures the beauty of the Everly's stunning close harmonies to create a moving and powerful testament to these traditional ballads. The album is set for release on 25 November 2013 in the United States and worldwide.
The album features reinterpreted versions of traditional songs like “Down in the Willow Garden” and the the often-covered “Barbara Allen” next to country classics like Karl Davis’ “Kentucky.” In a press release, Armstrong (a longtime Everly Brothers fan) says the project originated after he discovered Songs Our Daddy Taught Us a couple years ago.
Lightning Express
Billie Joe + Norah Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Had started out on its way
All of the passengers that were on board
Seemed to be happy and gay
But one little boy who sat by himself
Was reading a letter he had
You could plainly tell by the look on his face
The stern old conductor then started his round
Taking tickets from everyone there
And finally reaching the side of the boy
He gruffly demanded his fare
"I have no ticket" the boy then replied
"But I'll pay you back someday"
"Then I'll put you off at the next stop we make"
But he stopped when he heard the boy say
"Please Mr. Conductor
Don't put me off of this train
The best friend I have in this world sir
Is waiting for me in pain
Expecting to die any moment sir
And may not live through the day
I wanna reach home and kiss mother goodbye
Before God takes her away"
A girl sitting near was heard to exclaim
"If you put him off, it's a shame"
Taking his hand, a collection she made
The boy's way was paid on the train
"I'm obliged to you miss for your kindness to me"
"You're welcome," she said, never fear
Each time the conductor would pass through the car
The boy's words would ring in his ear
"Please Mr. Conductor
Don't put me off of this train
The best friend I have in this world sir
Is waiting for me in pain
Expecting to die any moment sir
And may not live through the day
I wanna reach home and kiss mother goodbye
Before God takes her away
I wanna reach home and kiss mother goodbye
Before God takes her away"
The song "Lightning Express" is a traditional folk song that tells a heart-wrenching story of a young boy who is traveling alone on a train to visit his sick mother. As the train conductor makes his rounds, he approaches the boy for his fare, only to discover that the boy has no ticket. The conductor insists that the boy must leave the train at the next stop, but the boy pleads with him to allow him to stay on the train. The boy tells the story of his home life, painting a picture of poverty and despair, with his mother on the brink of death. He begs the conductor to let him stay on the train, so he can reach his mother's side and say goodbye before it's too late.
The other passengers overhear the exchange and are moved by the boy's plight. A kind-hearted girl takes up a collection, and the boy's fare is paid. The conductor allows the boy to stay on the train, and the boy's moving words echo throughout the car. The boy's fear and desperation are palpable, and the listener can't help but feel a sense of sadness and empathy for him. The song is a poignant reminder of the importance of kindness, compassion, and the preciousness of human life.
Line by Line Meaning
The lightning express from the depot so grand
The train called the lightning express started its journey from a grand depot
Had started out on its way
The train had begun its journey
All of the passengers that were on board
All passengers who were on board the train
Seemed to be happy and gay
Appeared to be content and happy
But one little boy who sat by himself
There was a young boy who sat alone
Was reading a letter he had
He was reading a letter he had received
You could plainly tell by the look on his face
It was evident from his expression
That the contents of it made him sad
That the letter was making him sad
The stern old conductor then started his round
The strict conductor began checking tickets
Taking tickets from everyone there
Collecting tickets from all passengers
And finally reaching the side of the boy
Until he finally reached the boy's seat
He gruffly demanded his fare
He harshly asked for the boy's ticket
"I have no ticket" the boy then replied
The boy admitted to not having a ticket
"But I'll pay you back someday"
He promised to pay the fare in the future
"Then I'll put you off at the next stop we make"
The conductor threatened to kick him off at the next stop
But he stopped when he heard the boy say
But the conductor halted when he heard the boy plead
"Please Mr. Conductor
The boy kindly requested the conductor
Don't put me off of this train
To not throw him off the train
The best friend I have in this world sir
He explained that his best friend in the world
Is waiting for me in pain
Was in distress and waiting for him
Expecting to die any moment sir
Expected to pass away soon
And may not live through the day
Might not make it through the day
I wanna reach home and kiss mother goodbye
Wanted to go home and say goodbye to his mother
Before God takes her away"
Before she passes away
A girl sitting near was heard to exclaim
A nearby girl exclaimed
"If you put him off, it's a shame"
That it would be a shame to throw him off
Taking his hand, a collection she made
She held his hand and gathered a collection of money
The boy's way was paid on the train
The boy's ticket was paid for by the collection
"I'm obliged to you miss for your kindness to me"
The boy thanked the girl for her kindness
"You're welcome," she said, never fear
"You're welcome," she replied, reassuring him
Each time the conductor would pass through the car
Every time the conductor passed by
The boy's words would ring in his ear
The boy's plea would echo in his mind
"Please Mr. Conductor
The boy's request continued
Don't put me off of this train
To not throw him off the train
The best friend I have in this world sir
He explained that his best friend in the world
Is waiting for me in pain
Was in distress and waiting for him
Expecting to die any moment sir
Expected to pass away soon
And may not live through the day
Might not make it through the day
I wanna reach home and kiss mother goodbye
Wanted to go home and say goodbye to his mother
Before God takes her away
Before she passes away
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: BRADLEY KINCAID
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind