Katy Bowser β Songwriter/Vocals/Writing
Katy Bowser is a singer/songwriter residing in Nashville, Tennessee. In high school, Katy was mentored by jazz trumpet player and educator, Anthony Aversano, and performed with a Washington, DC-area jazz combo. Sheβs had a bug for the music ever since. She graduated from Belmont University with a degree in Music Performance with a Commercial Voice emphasis. She has released three albums. As a writer, co-creator and voice of Coal Train Railroad, Katyβs distinctive style is part of what sets Coal Train Railroad apart from other oο¬erings in the childrenβs book/music market.
Chris Donohue β Songwriter/Bass/Guitar/Programming/Production
Chris Donohue is a Nashville-based session musician, producer and songwriter. A native New Yorker, Chris has recorded and performed internationally with a broad variety of artists including Emmylou Harris, Collective Soul, Dave Matthews, Elvis Costello, Ben Folds, Lyle Lovett, Allison Moorer, Solomon Burke, Suzy Bogguss, Guy Clark, Steve Earle, Patty Griffin, Rodney Crowell, Buddy Miller, Gillian Welch, Sam Bush, Jim Lauderdale, Tim O'Brien, Darrell Scott, Lee Ann Womack, Vince Gill, T.S. Monk, Phil Keaggy, Holly Williams, Larry Carlton, Over the Rhine, Vigilantes of Love, Sixpence, Jars of Clay, Fleming and John, Nashville Chamber Orchestra, and many others. His passion for arts education led him to co-found East Nashville Center for Creative Arts in June of 2002. Chrisβ love of jazz came to fruition during his years as a resident of New Orleans and has now found full expression in his role as producer and co-creator of Coal Train Railroad.
All Aboard
Coal Train Railroad Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All kinds of trains, and they go "woo-woo," and they go "chugga-chugga, chugga-chugga."
Wait a minute (All aboard!) what kind of a train is THAT?
Coal train. Coal train.
Coal train?
Is there a piano in there?
All aboard the coal train!
They're not putting coal in that train engine.
Do I hear a trumpet?
Coal train.
What makes the coal train go?
What makes the coal train go?
All the horns just start to blow!
Coal train.
I think I hear a saxophone!
Coal train. Coal train.
Is that, is that a bass on the train?
Catch a ride on the coal train!
Where are you going, again? Can I go too?
All aboard the coal train!
When does the coal train go?
It gets going 'round midnight.
We can ride it all day and all night!
Catch a ride on the coal train!
The lyrics of Coal Train Railroadβs song All Aboard describe the excitement and unpredictability of train stations, which the singer loves. They express the joy of seeing and hearing different types of trains arriving and departing, and the playful onomatopoeic expressions of the train sounds add to the enjoyment. However, in the midst of this fascination, the singer suddenly hears an unusual train sound and exclaims βWait a minute, what kind of a train is THAT?β A voice in the background then responds with βAll aboard the coal train!β and from then on, the lyrics repeat βCoal trainβ several times.
The repetition of βCoal trainβ in the song creates a sense of hypnosis and fascination, drawing the listener into the mystery of the coal train. The question βWhat makes the coal train go?β suggests that there is something unique and interesting about this particular train, and the answer is given indirectly through the lines βAll the horns just start to blow!β and βI think I hear a saxophone!β. The lyrics seem to suggest that this coal train is not just an ordinary train carrying coal, but something of a musical journey, carrying various instruments and musicians to an unknown destination.
Line by Line Meaning
I love the train station! You never know what you're gonna see.
The train station is a place of excitement where one can witness various types of trains and unexpected events.
All kinds of trains, and they go "woo-woo," and they go "chugga-chugga, chugga-chugga."
Various trains with distinctive sounds are present at the station.
Wait a minute (All aboard!) what kind of a train is THAT?
Upon hearing something different, the curiosity deepens, and it urges everyone to step onto the train.
Coal train. Coal train.
The train in question is a coal train.
Coal train?
People are surprised to hear about the train's fuel source.
Coal train, catch a rid on the coal train!
Everyone is encouraged to board the coal train to experience its unique ride.
Is there a piano in there?
Suddenly, people begin to hear a new sound, which makes them question its source.
All aboard the coal train!
The train is ready to take off, and people are requested to get on board.
They're not putting coal in that train engine.
The people are realizing that the coal train doesn't rely on coal as its source of fuel.
What makes the coal train go?
People begin to wonder what the train's source of energy is.
All the horns just start to blow!
The train's horns begin to sound, indicating that the train is ready to leave the station.
Coal train.
Everyone is reminded again that they are in a coal train.
I think I hear a saxophone!
The passengers hear a new sound from the train and question its origin again.
Is that, is that a bass on the train?
The passengers are surprised to hear another musical instrument coming from the train.
Where are you going, again? Can I go too?
People are eager to know where the coal train is going and if they can join in on the journey.
When does the coal train go? It gets going 'round midnight. We can ride it all day and all night!
The train's schedule is shared, and people are pleased to hear that they can enjoy the coal train's ride all day long.
Catch a ride on the coal train!
The people are once again beckoned to hop on the coal train and enjoy the journey.
Contributed by Kayla I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.