Freight Train
Terry Sonny Brownie McGhee Lyrics


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Hey, to hear that old train blow
Makes me feel like I want to ride some too
Just don't tell 'em what train I'm on
And they won't know what route I've gone

I asked the brakeman to let me ride the blinds
He says, 'I don't care Brownie this train ain't mine'
Just don't tell 'em what train I'm on
And they won't know what route I'm gone

Freight train, freight train going so fast
Freight train, freight train going so fast
Just don't tell 'em what train I'm on
They won't know what route I've gone

Was a mean old farmer and a cruel old engineer
Low down conductor wave that train from here
Just don't tell 'em what train we're on
They won't know what route I'm gone

There's a long gold rail and a short crossed town
Ride the roach till the day I die
Just don't tell 'em what train I'm on
And they won't know what route I've gone

When I die don't bury me deep
Just at the foot of old Chestnut Street
So I can hear that old number nine
As it rolls on down the line

Freight train, freight train blows oh, oh, hoo
Makes me feel like I want to ride some too
Just don't tell 'em what train I'm on
And they won't know what route I'm gone

Just don't tell 'em what train I'm on
And they won't know what route I'm gone
Just don't tell 'em what train we're on
And they won't know what route we gone





Just don't tell 'em what train we're on
And they won't know what route we gone

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Terry Sonny Brownie McGhee's song Freight Train are about the love of traveling by train and the freedom it brings. The singer expresses his desire to ride the train and not be restricted by the destination or route. The lyrics suggest that the singer is looking to escape something or seek adventure. He doesn't want to reveal his destination to anyone, so no one can track him down or stop him from venturing on. The singer requests the brakeman to allow him to ride the blinds, but the brakeman refuses, saying that the train is not his concern. The singer reminisces about fellow passengers on the train, the cruel farmer, and conductor, and speculates about their own purposes for traveling.


Line by Line Meaning

Hey, to hear that old train blow
Listening to the sound of the train makes me want to ride it too.


Makes me feel like I want to ride some too
The sound of the train sparks my desire to ride it.


Just don't tell 'em what train I'm on
I don't want anyone to know which train I'm taking.


And they won't know what route I've gone
If no one knows which train I'm taking, then they won't know where I'm going.


I asked the brakeman to let me ride the blinds
I requested to ride in the area between the cars where the blinds are located.


He says, 'I don't care Brownie this train ain't mine'
The brakeman didn't care, but he also wasn't the one responsible for the train.


Freight train, freight train going so fast
The freight train is moving quickly.


Was a mean old farmer and a cruel old engineer
There were unpleasant people involved with the train, such as a mean farmer and a cruel engineer.


Low down conductor wave that train from here
The conductor signaled for the train to depart.


There's a long gold rail and a short crossed town
The train tracks run for a long distance while also passing through towns.


Ride the roach till the day I die
I'll ride on this train until I die.


When I die don't bury me deep
When I pass away, I don't want to be buried very deep in the ground.


Just at the foot of old Chestnut Street
I want to be buried near the end of Chestnut Street.


So I can hear that old number nine
This location will allow me to hear the sound of a specific train, possibly one that's significant to me.


As it rolls on down the line
The train will continue to move forward along the tracks.


Freight train, freight train blows oh, oh, hoo
The freight train blows its whistle loudly.


Just don't tell 'em what train we're on
It's important to keep the train's identity a secret.


And they won't know what route I'm gone
If no one knows which train I'm taking, then they won't know where I'm going.


Just don't tell 'em what train we gone
It's important to keep the train's identity a secret, even if it means using incorrect grammar.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CARTER, GILBERT

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@MrTurboTord

Pushing it! More people need to listen to this!

@DogTrainersConnect

This is incredibly soulful and artistic!

@dfcabral

And the best version ever. I love Elizabeth Cotten with all my heart, but Sonny and Brownie took it to a whole other level. They put so many different feelings in it, I cry every time I listen to it.

@cooldaddy2877

Nancy Whiskey!

@vittoriocastelli2681

The Lp cover reads Freight Train

@jimjim506

I do love the Elizabeth Cotton version, but this is also such a nice take on it.

@MrTurboTord

New year wish? I wish more people hear this song!

@dennisdevine3382

I saw Sonny & Brownie do a gig at The Fillmore in San Francisco back in the 60's & I've been a fan ever since.

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