Midnight Train
Johnny Burnette Lyrics


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I left my gal sad and lonely, left her standing in the rain
I went down to the railroad, I caught myself a midnight train
I beat my way into Texas, landed in a gambling town
I got myself into trouble, I shot the county sheriff down
Oh Lord, I shot the county sheriff down
They put the handcuffs on me, tied me with a ball and chain
They took me to El Paso, they tied me with a ball and chain
These prison bars all around me, no-one to call my bail
My heart's sad and so lonely, I want to get out of this jail
Oh Lord, I want to get out of this jail
The jury read the verdict, murder in the first degree
The judge said, take this prisoner to the penitentiary
They put the handcuffs on me, tied me with a ball and chain




I'd left my home forever and I'll never see my gal again
Oh Lord, I'll never see my gal again

Overall Meaning

The Johnny Burnette song, "Midnight Train," tells a story of a man who leaves his girlfriend in the rain to catch a midnight train. He ends up in a gambling town in Texas and gets into trouble, ultimately shooting the county sheriff. The man is arrested, put on trial, and found guilty of murder in the first degree. He is sentenced to serve time in the penitentiary and will never see his girlfriend again.


This song portrays a sense of regret and loneliness that the singer feels for leaving his lover in the rain. The idea of leaving someone behind is a common theme in country and blues music. The singer's feelings of regret are further accentuated by the fact that he will never be able to see his girlfriend again. The lyrics highlight the isolation and despair that he feels while locked up in prison.


The song also speaks to the concept of consequences for one's actions. The singer's decision to leave his girlfriend has led him to commit a crime that will result in him serving time in jail. The lyrics suggest that he regrets his actions and is paying the price for them.


Line by Line Meaning

I left my gal sad and lonely, left her standing in the rain
I deserted my girlfriend and left her in sadness and solitude, leaving her standing under the pouring rain.


I went down to the railroad, I caught myself a midnight train
I went to the railway station and boarded a train that ran during midnight hours.


I beat my way into Texas, landed in a gambling town
I ventured into Texas and ended up in a town that primarily focused on gambling activities.


I got myself into trouble, I shot the county sheriff down
I caused myself to get into a difficult situation by shooting the law enforcement officer of that jurisdiction.


Oh Lord, I shot the county sheriff down
I express my shock and awe at the fact that I actually committed the act of shooting the county sheriff.


They put the handcuffs on me, tied me with a ball and chain
The authorities arrested me and restrained me by securing me with handcuffs and a heavy metal chain.


They took me to El Paso, they tied me with a ball and chain
I was transported to El Paso by the authorities, still restrained with the ball and chain.


These prison bars all around me, no-one to call my bail
I am enclosed by prison bars with no one to bail me out of jail.


My heart's sad and so lonely, I want to get out of this jail
I feel miserable and alone inside, wishing to be released from jail.


Oh Lord, I want to get out of this jail
I express my desperation to be freed from the imprisonment.


The jury read the verdict, murder in the first degree
The jury declared me guilty of murder in the highest level degree of criminal homicide.


The judge said, take this prisoner to the penitentiary
The judge passed the verdict to imprison me in the penitentiary.


They put the handcuffs on me, tied me with a ball and chain
I was again restrained with handcuffs and a ball and chain for the transportation to the penitentiary.


I'd left my home forever and I'll never see my gal again
By leaving my home and committing the murder, I am going to be permanently separated from my girlfriend and would never see her again.


Oh Lord, I'll never see my gal again
I express my sorrow and regret at the fact that I am never going to see my girlfriend again.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BILLY ROBERTSON, WILLIAM ROBERTSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Paul Brennan

First class record Johnny Burnette unique 👏

Rex Hargrove

Just so brilliant

Edurocker Cultura

GREATTTTT ♫♪♫♥

mosrite60

wow. sad song. something we don't hear these days. But band is great. Interesting who even wrote this song!

wrongchordsrecords

i think johnny and dorsey wrote in the style of marty robbins

Chris Moreno

badass

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