Albion
Joe Bonamassa Lyrics


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There's a slow train coming
It's movin' on down the line
Steel wheels on iron rails
Tonight I'm fixin' to die
Woo, I hope you don't mind pretty mama
Woo-hoo, hope you don't mind if I go

'Cause when the steam from the slow train rises
I ain't gonna see you anymore

There's a slow train coming
Coming right on time
Smokestacks and bottle lightning
This jumper on the line
Woo, I can't do without it anymore pretty mama
Yes, I can't do it without it anymore

'Cause when the steam from the slow train rises
I ain't gonna see you anymore

There's a slow train coming
To march us home from war
With my leather boots and my haversack
Sure can take it no more
Woo, I cried for her baby when I saw you there
Woo-hoo, I cried for her just the same

'Cause when the steam from the slow train rises
I'm gonna cry for you just the same

Well there's a slow train coming
Carrying the mighty worker hordes
Eighteen days in the cotton field
Enough to put a man out of ?
Woo, It's time to move on pretty mama
Woo-hoo, Yes it's time to move on as I go





As the steam from my slow train rises
It's time for me to get on board

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Joe Bonamassa's song "Albion" tell the story of a man who is riding on a slow train towards his death. He acknowledges that he will leave behind someone he loves, but the train is coming and there's nothing he can do to stop it. He also mentions the train coming to take soldiers home from war, and workers who have been toiling in cotton fields for eighteen days straight. Through this imagery, Bonamassa captures the idea of inescapable fate and the inevitability of death.


The slow, mournful tone of the song enhances its somber message, as Bonamassa sings in a bluesy style accompanied by the sound of a slide guitar. The repetition of the phrase "when the steam from the slow train rises" emphasizes the idea of impending doom and finality. Despite the sadness of the lyrics, the song ends on a note of resignation rather than despair, as the singer accepts that it's time for him to move on and board the train.


Overall, "Albion" is a powerful contemplation of mortality and the inevitability of fate. Its stark imagery and haunting melody make it a standout track on Joe Bonamassa's album "Blues of Desperation."


Line by Line Meaning

There's a slow train coming
Things are not going as fast as they should be in my life. I feel like I'm not making any progress.


It's movin' on down the line
Time is passing by and I'm getting further and further behind.


Steel wheels on iron rails
I feel stuck in a rut, like there's no way out of my current situation.


Tonight I'm fixin' to die
I feel like I'm at the end of my rope, like there's nothing left to live for.


Woo, I hope you don't mind pretty mama
I'm sorry for whatever I may have done to hurt you in the past.


Woo-hoo, hope you don't mind if I go
I'm ready to move on from this life and start anew.


'Cause when the steam from the slow train rises / I ain't gonna see you anymore
I know that once I die, I won't be able to see you or be with you anymore.


Coming right on time
Despite my fears and reservations, things are happening as they should be.


Smokestacks and bottle lightning
There's something powerful and dangerous coming my way that I can't avoid.


This jumper on the line
I'm taking a big risk and putting everything on the line.


Woo, I can't do without it anymore pretty mama
I'm addicted to something or someone and I can't break free from it.


Yes, I can't do it without it anymore
I've become too dependent on this thing or person and I need to break free.


There's a slow train coming / To march us home from war
There's a sense of relief and hope on the horizon, even amid the chaos and struggle of life.


With my leather boots and my haversack / Sure can take it no more
I feel weighed down and overwhelmed by the burdens of life.


Woo, I cried for her baby when I saw you there
I feel regret and sadness for the things I've done to hurt you and those I care about.


Woo-hoo, I cried for her just the same
My heart is heavy with the weight of my mistakes and wrongdoings.


Well there's a slow train coming
Things are not moving fast enough in my life, and I'm struggling to keep up.


Carrying the mighty worker hordes
There's a sense of community and shared struggle among those around me.


Eighteen days in the cotton field / Enough to put a man out of ?
I've been through a lot of difficult situations that have taken a toll on my mental and physical health.


It's time to move on pretty mama
I know that I need to let go of the past and start fresh.


Yes it's time to move on as I go
I'm ready to take the next step in my journey, even if I'm uncertain of where it will take me.


As the steam from my slow train rises / It's time for me to get on board
I know that my time is running out and I need to make the most of it before it's too late.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: JOE BONAMASSA, KEVIN SHIRLEY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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