Take the "a" Train
Oscar Peterson Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

You must take the "A" train
To go to Sugar Hill way up in Harlem
If you miss the "A" train
You`ll find you missed the quickest way to Harlem
Hurry, get on, now it`s coming
Listen to those rails a-thrumming
All aboard, get on the "A" train
Soon you will be on Sugar Hill in Harlem




Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Oscar Peterson's "Take the 'A' Train" encourage listeners to take the fastest and most direct route to the Sugar Hill neighborhood in Harlem: the A train. The song suggests that missing this train will result in a longer and less efficient trip. The urgency of the song is reflected in the lyrics, particularly in the refrain "hurry, get on, now it's coming." The line "listen to those rails a-thrumming" further emphasizes the idea of movement and speed, conveying the excitement of approaching a destination.


Beyond its literal meaning, "Take the 'A' Train" is also significant from a cultural perspective. The song was written by Billy Strayhorn in 1939 as a tribute to the famous subway line that runs from downtown Manhattan to Harlem. At the time, Harlem was a center of African American culture and nightlife, and the A train played a crucial role in connecting residents of Harlem to the rest of the city. The song thus celebrates both the physical and cultural connections facilitated by the train.


Line by Line Meaning

You must take the "A" train
In order to go to Sugar Hill, one must take the train labeled "A"


To go to Sugar Hill way up in Harlem
Sugar Hill is located in the northern Manhattan neighborhood of Harlem


If you miss the "A" train
If one is not able to catch the train labeled "A"


You`ll find you missed the quickest way to Harlem
The train labeled "A" is the fastest mode of transportation to travel to Harlem


Hurry, get on, now it`s coming
Board the train quickly as it will arrive soon


Listen to those rails a-thrumming
Hear the sound of the train tracks vibrating as the train approaches


All aboard, get on the "A" train
Everyone should board the train labeled "A"


Soon you will be on Sugar Hill in Harlem
By taking the train labeled "A," you will soon arrive at Sugar Hill, located in the Harlem neighborhood of Manhattan




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BILLY STRAYHORN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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