Special
M & S Lyrics

She heard that 8:30 local blowing that morning
She heard the regular morning train blowing its whistle at 8:30 am, which she hoped would be the Special Streamline train.

She thought it'd have that Special Streamline, blowing like this
She expected the Special Streamline train to also have a distinct and impressive whistle, like the regular morning train she just heard.

She said, 'Daddy, is that my train? I say, I ain't keeping up with the train time. I'm tryin-a make a few dimes. She dropped her head went to singing and crying:
She asked her father if that was the Special Streamline train but he didn't know, and she was upset since she didn't have much money and wanted to hurry to catch the train if it was hers.

It's alright how you turn me down
She's reassuring herself that it's okay if her father can't answer her question since she's used to disappointments.

After she called for a ticket, she heard this Special Streamline going 36 miles from Memphis, Tennessee. Make ya lonesome now. 'Cause I hobo myself, sometimes
After buying her ticket, she heard the Special Streamline train approaching from 36 miles away, and its sound made her reflect on how lonely and isolated she often feels as a wandering hobo.

She blowed and throw'd on the airbrakes
She applied the airbrakes and stopped the train before entering the ten-mile-long tunnel.

When she was getting close, she was tippin cars on automatic switch, getting her water and coal on the fly. You could hear her when she was striking that double iron like this
As she approached and passed by various parts of the train station, she was skillfully maneuvering the train's various cars and performing tasks like filling up on coal and water while the train was still moving, all while making a rhythmic and melodic sound with the train's wheels and rails.

When she run 'cross the last one, she squalled in
As the train rounded the final bend, the sound from its whistle increased in intensity, creating a high-pitched and wailing noise.

This girl looked out an seen that train, she commenced to singing an crying. 'Hey, dad I don't wanna leave' mm-mm, I believe I'll lose my mind
Once the girl actually saw the Special Streamline train, she became very emotional and began singing and crying again, expressing her desire to not leave and feeling like she may go crazy if she does.

The people's always standing at the station, lying there to see that train come in. You would hear her when she squalls, boy, ev'rywhere but here
People are always gathered at train stations, anticipating the arrival of trains, and she's noticed that her train's whistle can be heard in many places but not there, almost as if it's avoiding her area.