Mystery Train
Hank C. Burnette Lyrics
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Train I ride, sixteen coaches long
Well, that long black train
Got my baby and gone
Train, train, coming round the bend
Train, train, coming round the bend
Well, it took my baby
Train, train, coming down the line
Train, train, coming down the line
It's bringing my baby
'Cos she's mine all mine, mine all mine
Well, that long black train
Got that baby of mine, mine all
The lyrics to Hank C. Burnette's song Mystery Train depict a train that the singer is riding, which is sixteen coaches long. The train has taken his baby and gone, leaving him alone and heartbroken. The chorus repeats the phrase "train, train, coming round the bend" and "train, train, coming down the line" as the singer hopes that his baby will return on the upcoming train. The song ends with the singer lamenting that the "long black train" has taken his baby, leaving him alone.
Although the lyrics are simple, they speak to a universal human experience - heartbreak and longing for a lost love. The repetition of "train, train" creates a sense of urgency and desperation, as the singer hopes that each passing train will bring back his baby. The use of the metaphor of the "long black train" creates a sense of danger and finality, as if the singer's baby is gone forever.
Overall, Hank C. Burnette's Mystery Train is a powerful and emotional song that explores the depths of love and loss.
Line by Line Meaning
Train, train, sixteen coaches long
A very long train consisting of sixteen coaches.
Train I ride, sixteen coaches long
I am riding on a train that has sixteen coaches.
Well, that long black train
The train in question is long and black in color.
Got my baby and gone
The train has taken my loved one away from me.
Train, train, coming round the bend
A train is approaching a turn in the tracks.
Well, it took my baby
The train previously mentioned has taken my loved one from me.
But it never will again, no not again
I will not allow the train to take my loved one from me again.
Train, train, coming down the line
Another train is approaching.
It's bringing my baby
The train approaching will bring my loved one to me.
'Cos she's mine all mine, mine all mine
I have a strong claim on my loved one, and no one else can take her away from me.
Well, that long black train
Again, the long black train is referenced.
Got that baby of mine, mine all mine
The train has previously taken my loved one away from me, and she is now in its possession.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Herman Parker Jr., Sam Phillips
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind