Midnight Train
David Rawlings Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Run all night long
The midnight train and the forty train
Run all night long
They run
Until the break of day
Turn all night long
The little wheels and the great big wheels
Turn all night long
They turn
Until the break of day
The one you left and the one you love
Cries all night long
The one you left and the one you love
Cries all night long
She cries
Until the break of day
This love of mine, little light of mine
Shines all night long
This love of mine, little light of mine
Shines all night long
He shines
Until the break of day
It shines
Until the break of day
The lyrics to David Rawlings's song "Midnight Train" talk about trains that run all night long until the break of day. The two trains mentioned are the "midnight train" and the "forty train." These trains represent the passing of time and how life keeps moving forward, even when we're not paying attention. The little wheels and great big wheels turning all night long symbolize the cyclical nature of life and how things keep moving forward, whether we want them to or not.
The lyrics also talk about the pain of love and loss, with the one you left and the one you love crying all night long. This represents the emotional toll that life can take on us and how we can't control everything that happens to us. Our loved ones may experience pain and heartbreak, and we can feel helpless to make it go away. However, the song offers a glimmer of hope with the line, "This love of mine, little light of mine, shines all night long." This represents the power of love to overcome even the darkest of nights.
Overall, "Midnight Train" is a contemplative and introspective song that encourages us to reflect on the passing of time and the things we can't control. It reminds us that even though life can be painful and difficult at times, we can still find hope and solace in the things we love.
Line by Line Meaning
The midnight train and the forty train
Two trains, one named the midnight train and the other the forty train
Run all night long
Operate throughout the night non-stop
They run
The trains continue to operate
Until the break of day
Until the first light of dawn
The little wheels and the great big wheels
Referring to the wheels of the train - both small and large
Turn all night long
Rotate continuously during the night
They turn
The wheels continue to rotate
Until the break of day
Until the first light of dawn
The one you left and the one you love
Two people, one who has been left behind and one who is loved
Cries all night long
Weeps throughout the entire night
She cries
The person who was left behind continues to cry
Until the break of day
Until the first light of dawn
This love of mine, little light of mine
Reference to someone's love and their light
Shines all night long
Continues to shine throughout the entire night
He shines
The person's love continues to shine
It shines
The love continues to shine
Until the break of day
Until the first light of dawn
Contributed by Asher C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Alan Stonecipher
Fifty years from now Welch and Rawlings will be considered among the greats in modern American music, just as if we're old enough we think now of bands in 1968. Enjoy 'em while you got 'em.
Michael Parrow
Alan Stonecipher reading my mind!
charlie g
AMEN>>>>
Francie Mulligan
it just rolls beautifully with Dave, Gillian, and Willie and there harmonies along with the backing sound of fiddle and base.
konnyturtle
Dave is one of the best folk guitarists ever!
🎹Piano🎹
These guys are amazing
Amedeo Filippi
So damn good! bravo!
Angie Veri
Fabulous musicians and great picking by David Rawlins. They are great now, no need to wait....just saying
Sandra Stuart
I just received David's Almanac for my birthday. Spectacular album, though I always have to press repeat on this first song before I can move on.
Em Cristiano
Put this on repeat, get happier and happier