When the Midnight Choo Choo Leaves For Alabam
Michael Feinstein Lyrics
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I've had to pack my things away
Now I'm going to give the landlord back his key
The very key
That opened up my dreary flat
Where many weary nights I sat
Thinking of the folks down home who think of me
You can bet you'll find me singing happily
[chorus:]
When the midnight choo-choo leaves for Alabam'
I'll be right there
I've got my fare
When I see that rusty-haired conductor-man
I'll grab him by the collar
And I'll holler
"Alabam'! Alabam'!"
That's where you stop your train
That brings me back again
Down home where I'll remain
Where my honey-lamb am
I will be right there with bells
When that old conductor yells
"All aboard! All aboard!
All aboard for Alabam'"
[2nd verse:]
The minute that I reach the place
I'm goin' to overfeed my face
'Cause I haven't had a good meal since the day
I went away
I'm goin' to kiss my Pa and Ma
A dozen times for ev'ry star
Shining over Alabama's new mown hay
I'll be glad enough to throw myself away
The song "When the Midnight Choo Choo Leaves for Alabam'" by Michael Feinstein is a joyful ballad about a character who is leaving his dreary life behind and excitedly heading home to Alabama. The song begins with the singer stating that he's had a busy day packing his things away, and that he is returning the key to his depressing apartment. He also mentions how he often thinks of the folks back home while sitting in his apartment, and that he's happy to be leaving all that behind.
The chorus of the song is about the singer's excitement to be on the midnight train home to Alabama. He is so excited that he plans on grabbing the conductor by the collar and shouting "Alabam'!" at him as they board the train. The song's protagonist is going to be with his "honey-lamb" soon, and he promises to be there with bells on when the conductor yells "All aboard for Alabam'!" in order to make sure he doesn't miss his train.
The second verse of the song is about the singer's eagerness to eat some good food and kiss his family members upon his arrival in Alabama. He talks about how he'll kiss his mother and father a dozen times for every star shining over Alabama's new mown hay.
Line by Line Meaning
I've had a mighty busy day
I've been very busy today
I've had to pack my things away
I had to pack my belongings after finishing my work
Now I'm going to give the landlord back his key
I'm going to return the key to my landlord as I'm moving out
The very key
The exact key I used to unlock my dreary flat
That opened up my dreary flat
That allowed me to access my gloomy apartment
Where many weary nights I sat
Where I spent many tired and dreary nights
Thinking of the folks down home who think of me
Thinking about my loved ones back home who also think of me
You can bet you'll find me singing happily
I'll probably be singing with joy
When the midnight choo-choo leaves for Alabam'
The train to Alabama departs at midnight
I'll be right there
I will be there
I've got my fare
I have my ticket to ride the train
When I see that rusty-haired conductor-man
When I spot the red-headed conductor man
I'll grab him by the collar
I'll catch his attention by grabbing him by his shirt collar
And I'll holler
I'll shout loudly
"Alabam'! Alabam'!"
"Stop the train in Alabama!"
That's where you stop your train
The train must stop in Alabama
That brings me back again
That will take me back to my hometown
Down home where I'll remain
I'll stay down home
Where my honey-lamb am
Where my dear loved one is
I will be right there with bells
I'll arrive at my destination with great enthusiasm
When that old conductor yells
When the seasoned conductor shouts
"All aboard! All aboard!
"Board the train! Board the train!
All aboard for Alabam'"
Get on the train that's headed for Alabama
The minute that I reach the place
As soon as I arrive
I'm goin' to overfeed my face
I'm going to indulge myself with a lot of food
'Cause I haven't had a good meal since the day
Because I haven't had a satisfying meal since I left
I went away
I departed from home
I'm goin' to kiss my Pa and Ma
I'm going to give my parents multiple kisses
A dozen times for ev'ry star
A dozen times for every star in the night sky
Shining over Alabama's new mown hay
Glinting over Alabama's newly cut hayfields
I'll be glad enough to throw myself away
I'll be happy enough to forget about myself and simply enjoy being back home
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: IRVING BERLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind