Born in Glendale, Arizona, Robbins taught himself guitar while serving in the United States Navy during World War II, and subsequently drew fame performing in clubs in and around his hometown. In 1956, he released his first No. 1 country song, "Singing the Blues" and one year later, released two more No. 1 hits, "A White Sport Coat" and "The Story of My Life". In 1959, Robbins released his signature song, "El Paso", for which he won the Grammy Award for Best Country & Western Recording. Later releases that drew critical acclaim include "Don't Worry", "Big Iron" and "Honkytonk Man", the last for which the 1982 Clint Eastwood film is named, and in which Robbins made his final appearance before death.
Over the course of his career, Robbins recorded more than 500 songs and 60 albums, and won two Grammy Awards, was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, and was named the 1960s Artist of the Decade by the Academy of Country Music. Robbins was a commercial success in both the country and pop genres, and his songs were covered by many other famous artists, including Johnny Cash, the Grateful Dead and Elvis Presley. His music continues to have an influence in pop culture today, having recently appeared in several contemporary pop culture features, including the video game Fallout: New Vegas, and the series finale of AMC's Breaking Bad.
Robbins was born in Glendale, a suburb of Phoenix in Maricopa County, Arizona. His mother was mostly of Paiute Indian heritage. Robbins grew up in a difficult family situation. His father took odd jobs to support the family of 10 children; however, his hard drinking led to divorce in 1937. Among his warmer memories of his childhood, Robbins recalled having listened to stories of the American West told by his maternal grandfather, Texas Bob Heckle, who was a local medicine man. At 17, Robbins left his troubled home to serve in the United States Navy as an LCT coxswain during World War II. He was stationed in the Solomon Islands in the Pacific Ocean. To pass the time during the war, he learned to play the guitar, started writing songs, and came to love Hawaiian music.
Robbins' discography consists of 52 studio albums, 13 compilation albums, and 100 singles. In his career, Robbins charted 17 Number One singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, as well as 82 Top 40 singles.
Robbins' highest charting album is 1959's Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs. It charted to #6 on the all-genre Billboard 200, and was also certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. The album's first single, "El Paso", became a hit on both the country and pop charts, charting to Number One on the Hot Country Songs as well as the Billboard Hot 100. While that would be his only pop Number One, in 1957, "A White Sport Coat" charted to #2, and in 1961, "Don't Worry" charted to #3.
His final Top 10 single was "Honkytonk Man" from the 1982 eponymous film in which Robbins had a role. He died shortly before its release. Since his death, four posthumous studio albums have been released, but they made no impact on the charts.
Robbins married Marizona "Mari" Baldwin on September 27, 1948. They had two children, Ronny and Janet, and were married 34 years until his death.
A Man and a Train
Marty Robbins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They both tried to run as far and as fast as they can
But a man's not a train and a train's not a man
A man can do things that a train never can.
Goin' up a mountain even half way to the top
The minute that a train runs out of steam it's gotta stop
But it's a different story when a man runs out of steam
Goin' cross the country when a train runs out of track
It has to stop and turn around and then start headin' back
But many miles from nowhere out where all the tracks are gone
A man who's got himself a dream can still keep goin' on.
So don't try to stop me
Don't try to stop me 'cause nobody can
I've got a dream, a beautiful dream
And that makes me a man.
No don't try to stop me
Don't try to stop me 'cause nobody can
I've got a dream, a beautiful dream and that makes me
Makes me a man...
In this song, Marty Robbins compares the unstoppable force of a train with the relentless spirit of a dreamer. He starts off by acknowledging that both a man and a train can run fast and far, but there is a fundamental difference between the two. A train can only travel as far and fast as its track and fuel allows, but a man's potential is limitless as long as he has a dream to strive for.
Robbins illustrates this difference with two scenarios. In the first, the train can't continue up a mountain once it runs out of steam, whereas a man can continue even when he's exhausted because he has the mental fortitude to keep going. The second scenario involves the end of the track, which a train cannot pass, but a man with a dream can keep going even when there's no path forward.
The central message of the song is that a man with a dream is an unstoppable force, as nothing can derail him from his path. The dream is what makes a man a man, and his determination to pursue it is what sets him apart from machines and other creatures.
Overall, the song conveys the importance of having a dream and the undaunted spirit required to pursue it. It highlights the limitations of machines and celebrates the infinite potential of human beings when we focus our minds and hearts on a worthy goal.
Line by Line Meaning
A man and a train, a train and a man
The singer draws a similarity between a man and a train.
They both tried to run as far and as fast as they can
Both a train and a man try to reach their destination as quick as possible.
But a man's not a train and a train's not a man
The singer emphasizes the differences between a man and a train.
A man can do things that a train never can.
A man can accomplish things that a train cannot do.
Goin' up a mountain even half way to the top
This line talks about mountain terrain.
The minute that a train runs out of steam it's gotta stop
When a train runs out of steam, it can no longer move forward, and it must stop.
But it's a different story when a man runs out of steam
The situation with a man running out of steam is different from that of a train.
He still can go a long, long way on nothin' but a dream.
A man's dream can keep him going even when he has nothing else.
Goin' cross the country when a train runs out of track
The lyrics now talk about how the train is limited by tracks.
It has to stop and turn around and then start headin' back
When a train runs out of track, it must reverse and go back to the start point.
But many miles from nowhere out where all the tracks are gone
In many remote areas, there are no tracks for the train.
A man who's got himself a dream can still keep goin' on.
With enough inspiration, a person can keep pushing forward without any roadblocks.
So don't try to stop me
At this point, the singer is declaring that nothing can stop him.
Don't try to stop me 'cause nobody can
The singer reiterates that his determination is unbreakable.
I've got a dream, a beautiful dream
The singer's dream motivates him to keep moving forward.
And that makes me a man.
The fact that he has a dream makes him a true man according to the singer.
No don't try to stop me
The singer repeats the message in the final section of the song.
I've got a dream, a beautiful dream and that makes me
The singer emphasizes once again that his dream is what makes him who he is.
Makes me a man...
The chorus repeats in the last line of the song, and the singer asserts that his dream is the source of his strength and identity.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
javi celacanto
A man and a train, a train and a man
They both tried to run as far
And as fast as they can
But a man's not a train and a train's not a man
A man can do things that a train never can
Goin' up a mountain even half way to the top
The minute that a train runs out of steam it's gotta stop
But it's a different story when a man runs out of steam
He still can go a long, long way
On nothin' but a dream
Goin' cross the country when a train runs out of track
It has to stop and turn around and then start headin' back
But many miles from nowhere out where all the tracks are gone
A man who's got himself a dream
Can still keep goin' on
So don't try to stop me
Don't try to stop me cause nobody can
I've got a dream, a beautiful dream and that makes me a man
No don't try to stop me
Don't try to stop me cause nobody can
I've got a dream, a beautiful dream and that makes me
Makes me a man
TOWER TOP
A man and a train, a train and a man
They both tried to run as far
And as fast as they can
But a man's not a train and a train's not a man
A man can do things that a train never can
Goin' up a mountain even half way to the top
The minute that a train runs out of steam it's gotta stop
But it's a different story when a man runs out of steam
He still can go a long, long way
On nothin' but a dream
Goin' cross the country when a train runs out of track
It has to stop and turn around and then start headin' back
But many miles from nowhere out where all the tracks are gone
A man who's got himself a dream
Can still keep goin' on
So don't try to stop me
Don't try to stop me cause nobody can
I've got a dream, a beautiful dream and that makes me a man
No don't try to stop me
Don't try to stop me cause nobody can
I've got a dream, a beautiful dream and that makes me
Makes me a man
Tarquin45
Marty could sure belt out a song when needed to; one of the 20th century’s great vocalists, up there with the very best of all genres.
Uushilumbu79
What a great song! It really carries a message, which has become rare in the music industry. "When a train runs out of steam, it's gotta stop But it's a different story, when a man runs out of steam, He still can go a long, long way on nothin' but a dream" Gosh, this is awesome! Thanks so much for uploading!
Bonnie
My dad LOVED Marty Robbins, this song and a few others we played to a montage of dad's life in photos at his wake, still makes me tear up to listen, but I've heard this song since childhood... On a 8 track... And I love it too!
Bazooka Tooth
“He still can go a long way on nothing but a dream”
This line rings the truest for me. I recently lost my home to a wildfire here in Northern California and there’s nothing but dreams/ambitions holding me up.
Bazooka Tooth
@Nicholman's Garage Hey, better late than never right? I really appreciate that. I'm currently back in school and living with my gf. Times can be rough but in the normal sense of it all. Glad that time of dispair and grief is behind me. Thank you so much for the kind words. I wish you the same.
Nicholman's Garage
I know I'm late, but I hope you've had luck, and continue to have good luck in future endeavors
ganimed1976
Awesome song and great movie. Ernest Borgnine in one of his best roles.
MawaukeeWiscansin
I would sing this song to my grandma constantly as a child. Born in 93. Great song.
Tim Callahan
I still stay up until ridiculous hours of the morning to watch this film when they air it.
jdewitt77
Why not buy it on DVD? I bought it on VHS many years ago and watched it the other night. First time I had seen it in years and really enjoyed it. Ernest Borgnine and Lee Marvin were great in this film.