Lonesome Train
J.J. Cale Lyrics


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Lonesome train, ride all day
Lonesome train, ride all day
Since I lost my woman, I lost my way
Mr Conductor, where is this train bound
Mr Conductor, where is this train bound
Is it headed up, is it headed down
Lucky for me, I'm on the sunny side
Lucky for me, I'm on the sunny side
Since I lost my woman, it's a lonesome ride
Lonesome train, ride all day




Lonesome train, ride all day
Since I lost my woman, I lost my way

Overall Meaning

In J.J. Cale's song Lonesome Train, the lyrics paint a picture of a man who has lost his way since losing his woman. He sings about a feeling of isolation and loneliness, as he rides the train aimlessly. He addresses the conductor, wondering where they are headed and whether the train is going up or down. But despite his uncertainty, he feels fortunate to be on the sunny side, even in the midst of his lonesome train ride.


The lyrics of this song are simple and straightforward, but they convey a deep sense of melancholy and resignation. The repetition of the phrase "lonesome train, ride all day" reinforces the feeling of being trapped and unable to escape his sadness. The contrast between the sunny side and the lonesome ride adds complexity to the lyrics, suggesting that even in the darkest moments there is still a glimmer of hope.


Overall, Lonesome Train is a poignant song that captures the essence of heartbreak and the struggle to find one's way back to a happier place.


Line by Line Meaning

Lonesome train, ride all day
The train on which I find myself is ridden with loneliness, traveling ceaselessly through my days.


Lonesome train, ride all day
The solitude of my journey continues, without respite or end in sight.


Since I lost my woman, I lost my way
The absence of the woman who completed me has left me adrift without direction or purpose.


Mr Conductor, where is this train bound
I implore the conductor of this lonesome train to reveal its destination to me so that I may come to know where my suffering may end.


Mr Conductor, where is this train bound
I seek guidance from the conductor of this train in the hopes of discovering if it travels towards redemption or doom.


Is it headed up, is it headed down
Can this train persevere through the trials of its journey and rise above the emptiness within me or simply succumb and descend into further loneliness.


Lucky for me, I'm on the sunny side
Fortune has shone upon me, as I find myself on the brighter side of this continual darkness.


Lucky for me, I'm on the sunny side
Despite the circumstances of my situation, I cling to the hope found in even the smallest glimpses of light.


Since I lost my woman, it's a lonesome ride
The void left in me by the loss of my lover remains unfulfilled, making my journey all the more lonely and difficult.


Lonesome train, ride all day
The train on which I find myself is ridden with loneliness, traveling ceaselessly through my days.


Lonesome train, ride all day
The solitude of my journey continues, without respite or end in sight.


Since I lost my woman, I lost my way
The absence of the woman who completed me has left me adrift without direction or purpose.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: J J CALE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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