Downbound Train
Bruce Springsteen Lyrics
I had a job, I had a girl
I had something going, mister, in this world
I got laid off down at the lumber yard
Our love went bad, times got hard
Now I work down at the car wash
Where all it ever does is rain
Don't you feel like you're a rider on a downbound train
She just said, "Joe, I gotta go
We had it once, we ain't got it anymore"
She bought a ticket on the Central Line
Nights as I sleep, I hear that whistle whining
I feel her kiss in the misty rain
And I feel like I'm a rider on a downbound train
Last night I heard your voice
You were crying, crying, you were so alone
You said your love had never died
You were waiting for me at home
Put on my jacket, I ran through the woods
I ran till I thought my chest would explode
There in the clearing, beyond the highway
In the moonlight, our wedding house shone
I rushed through the yard
I burst through the front door, my head pounding hard
Up the stairs I climbed
The room was dark, our bed was empty
Then I heard that long whistle whine
And I dropped to my knees, hung my head and cried
Now I swing a sledge hammer on a railroad gang
Knocking down them cross ties, working in the rain
Now, don't it feel like you're a rider on a downbound train
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on specific lyrics, highlight them
"Downbound Train" is a song that appears on the 1984 Bruce Springsteen album Born in the U.S.A.. The song is a lament to a lost spouse, and takes on a melancholy tone.
The song was recorded in March or April of 1982 at the Power Station in one of the first sessions for the Born in the U.S.A. album. Like several other Born in the U.S.A. songs, including "Working on the Highway" and the title track, a solo acoustic version of "Downbound Train" was originally recorded on the demo that eventually became the Nebraska album. Read Full Bio"Downbound Train" is a song that appears on the 1984 Bruce Springsteen album Born in the U.S.A.. The song is a lament to a lost spouse, and takes on a melancholy tone.
The song was recorded in March or April of 1982 at the Power Station in one of the first sessions for the Born in the U.S.A. album. Like several other Born in the U.S.A. songs, including "Working on the Highway" and the title track, a solo acoustic version of "Downbound Train" was originally recorded on the demo that eventually became the Nebraska album.
Though it was not one of the seven singles released from said album, the song nevertheless gained something of a following, with some album-oriented rock radio airplay and being featured fairly regularly on the Born in the U.S.A. Tour and sporadically in tours since. It has been played about 130 times through 2008. Springsteen biographer Dave Marsh did not approve, calling "Downbound Train" in his volume Glory Days "the weakest song [Springsteen]'s released since the second album, ... incredibly sloppy ... The protagonist's three jobs in five verses are only symptomatic of its problems." Other observers analysed it in retrospect as a harbinger, with naturalistic imagery lacing the song throughout in an approach that Springsteen would return to heavily in his Dylan-"Series of Dreams"-influenced early 1990s.
The song was recorded in March or April of 1982 at the Power Station in one of the first sessions for the Born in the U.S.A. album. Like several other Born in the U.S.A. songs, including "Working on the Highway" and the title track, a solo acoustic version of "Downbound Train" was originally recorded on the demo that eventually became the Nebraska album. Read Full Bio"Downbound Train" is a song that appears on the 1984 Bruce Springsteen album Born in the U.S.A.. The song is a lament to a lost spouse, and takes on a melancholy tone.
The song was recorded in March or April of 1982 at the Power Station in one of the first sessions for the Born in the U.S.A. album. Like several other Born in the U.S.A. songs, including "Working on the Highway" and the title track, a solo acoustic version of "Downbound Train" was originally recorded on the demo that eventually became the Nebraska album.
Though it was not one of the seven singles released from said album, the song nevertheless gained something of a following, with some album-oriented rock radio airplay and being featured fairly regularly on the Born in the U.S.A. Tour and sporadically in tours since. It has been played about 130 times through 2008. Springsteen biographer Dave Marsh did not approve, calling "Downbound Train" in his volume Glory Days "the weakest song [Springsteen]'s released since the second album, ... incredibly sloppy ... The protagonist's three jobs in five verses are only symptomatic of its problems." Other observers analysed it in retrospect as a harbinger, with naturalistic imagery lacing the song throughout in an approach that Springsteen would return to heavily in his Dylan-"Series of Dreams"-influenced early 1990s.
More Genres
No Artists Found
More Artists
Load All
No Albums Found
More Albums
Load All
No Tracks Found
Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Search results not found
Song not found
Kyra
“Last night I heard your voice
You were crying, crying, you were so alone
You said your love had never died
You were waiting for me at home
Put on my jacket, I ran through the woods
I ran till I thought my chest would explode
There in the clearing, beyond the highway
In the moonlight, our wedding house shone
I rushed through the yard, I burst through the front door
My head pounding hard, up the stairs I climbed
The room was dark, our bed was empty
Then I heard that long whistle whine
And I dropped to my knees, hung my head and cried”
Max Araújo
I had a job, I had a girl
I had something going mister in this world
I got laid off down at the lumber yard
Our love went bad, times got hard
Now I work down at the carwash
Where all it ever does is rain
Don't you feel like you're a rider on a downbound train
…
She just said: Joe I gotta go
We had it once we ain't got it any more
She packed her bags left me behind
She bought a ticket on the Central Line
Nights as I sleep, I hear that whistle whining
Feel her kiss in the misty rain
And I feel like I'm a rider on a downbound train
…
Last night I heard your voice
You were crying, crying, you were so alone
You said your love had never died
You were waiting for me at home
Put on my jacket, I ran through the woods
I ran till I thought my chest would explode
There in the clearing, beyond the highway
In the moonlight, our wedding house shone
I rushed through the yard, I burst through the front door
My head pounding hard, up the stairs I climbed
The room was dark, our bed was empty
Then I heard that long whistle whine
And I dropped to my knees, hung my head and cried
…
Now I swing a sledge hammer on a railroad gang
Knocking down them cross ties, working in the rain
Now don't it feel like you're a rider on a downbound train
Lehndorfer 70
about 2 years ago my beloved brother-in-law died of cancer. he was the biggest springsteen fan in germany. at the same time I qualified as a train driver. Almost every day I drive past my sister's house by train. Every now and then I give the signal with the pull horn. Somehow the song fits. My sister's double bed is also empty every evening. Bruce keeps building me up. The boss
mandyinseattle
{hug} to you ♥️
TruthWarrior
Sorry to hear brother 🙏 he's with God Almighty THE MOST HIGH make no mistake about it
Florencia Galan
What you do has to do with another dimension. You create a time warp and you bring your sister closer to her husband
Tori Woods
God bless you all. Xx ❣️
David Murray
Arguably Springsteen's greatest moment. Haunted.Painful. Beautiful.
Mickey McLaughlin
Makes me tear up every time I hear this😢😢😢
m hitson
Im sure i am in the minority here;but I’ve never been much of a fan..this song floors me every time. The feeling of loss is palpable.
جند الله...جند الله..
LeGenD..witH All my reSpect
Matt Perry
Agreed. He has so many brilliant songs but this one cuts to the bone.