Malcolm Simmons was born in Twist, Arkansas. In his youth he befriended James Cotton, and they grew up learning to play the harmonica. Simmons relocated to St. Louis, Missouri, at the age of 18 and worked on the railroad. At this time Simmons made his stage debut with Robert Nighthawk.
In 1954 he moved again to Chicago, put together his own backing band, and had a five year residency at Cadillac Baby's. He commenced recording in 1959, issuing records on a number of labels including Chess.
In the late 1950s and early 1960s Simmons recorded several more obscure singles, often simply billed as Little Mack (or Mac). Simmons went on to provide the opportunity for others talents to be seen. He owned and managed Chicago's Zodiac Lounge from the mid to late 1960s. In addition, he owned a recording studio and recorded on his own labels, PM Records and Simmons Records. Simmons left the music industry at that time for the ministry, and was rarely heard in 30 years, notwithstanding an album he recorded in 1975 in Paris, France.
His return to blues music arrived with High & Lonesome (1995), which was an early success for St. George Records, an independent record label. Simmons' energetic style, accompanied by Studebaker John, belied his years. Come Back to Me Baby (1996), with featured sidemen John Primer, Willie Kent and Jake Dawson (guitarist) was also well received.
Simmons died in October 2000, of colon cancer, in his adopted hometown of Chicago, at the age of 67.
Mystery Train
Little Mac Simmons Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Train I ride, sixteen coaches long
Well, that long black train, got my baby and gone
Train, train, comin' round the bend
Train, train, comin' round the bend
Well, it took my baby, but it never will again
No, not again
Train, train, comin' down, down the line
Train, train, comin' down, down the line
Well, it's bringin' my baby, 'cause she's mine, all mine
She's mine, all mine
Train, train, comin' round, round the bend
Round, round the bend
Train, train, comin' round, round the bend
Round, round the bend
Well, it took my baby, but it never will again
Never will again
Whoo-oo-oo-oo-oo-hoo
The lyrics to Little Mac Simmons's song Mystery Train tell the story of a train that has taken his lover away from him. The train is described as being sixteen coaches long and the repeated phrase of "train, train comin' round the bend" creates a sense of anticipation and inevitability. Despite his sadness, there is a hopeful note in the line "well, it's bringin' my baby, 'cause she's mine, all mine" suggesting that the train will soon return with his lover.
The theme of trains has long been used in blues and country music as a symbol of escape and freedom, but also of loss and longing. The train can represent a way out of a difficult situation or a means of leaving behind a painful past. In this song, however, the train is a source of sadness and regret as it has taken away the singer's lover.
Line by Line Meaning
Train I ride, sixteen coaches long
I'm on a train that stretches sixteen coaches in length
Well, that long black train, got my baby and gone
That train, which seems to go on forever, has taken away my love and left me behind
Train, train, comin' round the bend
I see another train coming towards me as it rounds the bend in the tracks
Well, it took my baby, but it never will again
No, not again
Even though the previous train took my baby away, I know that it won't happen again
Train, train, comin' down, down the line
Another train is headed my way and I can see it coming from far down the tracks
Well, it's bringin' my baby, 'cause she's mine, all mine
She's mine, all mine
This train is different because it's bringing my baby back to me, and I know she belongs to me entirely
Train, train, comin' round, round the bend
Round, round the bend
I see another train approaching as it rounds a bend in the tracks
Well, it took my baby, but it never will again
Never will again
I am sure that no train will ever take my baby away again
Whoo-oo-oo-oo-oo-hoo
Expressing emotion and excitement about the train and the return of my love
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HERMAN PARKER JR., SAM PHILLIPS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind