Mystery Train
Danko/Fjeld/Andersen Lyrics


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Train arrive, it's sixteen coaches long
Train arrive, it's sixteen coaches long
Well, that long black train take my baby and gone

Mystery train, rollin' down the track
Mystery train, rollin' down the track
Well, it took my baby, people it won't be coming back
Train, train, rollin' 'round the bend
Train, train, rollin' 'round the bend
Well, it took my baby, people it won't be back again

Train arrive, it's sixteen coaches long




Train arrive, it's sixteen coaches long
Well, that long black train take my baby and gone

Overall Meaning

The song "Mystery Train" by Danko/Fjeld/Andersen is a classic blues song about a train that takes the singer's significant other away from him. The song features a simple repeating melody with only a few different lyrics. The first verse describes the train arriving with sixteen coaches and taking away the singer's loved one. The second verse repeats the same melody with the addition of the line "Mystery train, rollin' down the track," emphasizing the train's elusive nature. The third verse repeats the melody again and highlights the singer's despair as he realizes his loved one is not coming back.


This song's lyrics use the train as a metaphor for the departure of the singer's lover. The train is a powerful and unstoppable force that represents the inevitability of change and loss. The use of the word "mystery" further emphasizes the unknown and unpredictable nature of fate. The song's bluesy melody and repetitive lyrics create a sense of sadness and acceptance, as the singer knows there is nothing he can do to stop the train from taking away what he loves.


Overall, "Mystery Train" is a timeless blues classic that expertly captures the feeling of loss and heartbreak. The song's use of metaphor and simple melody make it a poignant and relatable piece of music.


Line by Line Meaning

Train arrive, it's sixteen coaches long
A train has arrived and it is incredibly long with sixteen coaches.


Train arrive, it's sixteen coaches long
A train has arrived and it is incredibly long with sixteen coaches.


Well, that long black train take my baby and gone
A long, black train has taken away the singer's beloved and left.


Mystery train, rollin' down the track
A train, shrouded in mystery, is moving down the railroad tracks.


Mystery train, rollin' down the track
A train, shrouded in mystery, is moving down the railroad tracks.


Well, it took my baby, people it won't be coming back
The train took away the singer's lover and they will not be returning.


Train, train, rollin' 'round the bend
Another train is approaching and coming around the bend in the tracks.


Train, train, rollin' 'round the bend
Another train is approaching and coming around the bend in the tracks.


Well, it took my baby, people it won't be back again
The train has taken the singer's lover once again and they will not be returning.


Train arrive, it's sixteen coaches long
Yet another long train has arrived with sixteen coaches.


Train arrive, it's sixteen coaches long
Yet another long train has arrived with sixteen coaches.


Well, that long black train take my baby and gone
The long, black train has come once again and taken away the singer's beloved.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Herman Parker Jr., Sam Phillips

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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