The album was re-released on Smithsonian Folkways on CD in 1990 with additional tracks from the 1970s.
Reuben's Train
The Doc Watson Family Lyrics
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He ran it to the Lord knows where
Oh me, oh my, ran it to the Lord knows where
Shoulda been in town when Reuben's train went down
You could hear that whistle blow a hundred miles
Oh me, oh my, you could hear the whistle blow a hundred miles
Lord how it sleeted and it snowed
Oh me, oh my, Lord how it sleeted and it snowed
I've been to the East, I've been to the West
I'm going where the chilly winds don't blow
Oh me, oh my, I'm going where the chilly winds don't blow
Oh, the train that I ride is a hundred coaches long
You can hear the whistle blow a hundred miles
Oh me, oh my, you can hear the whistle blow a hundred miles
I got myself a blade, laid Reuben in the shade
I'm startin' me a graveyard of my own
Oh, me, oh, lordy my, startin' me a graveyard of my own
Ol' Reuben made a train and he put it on a track
He ran it to the Lord knows where
Oh me, oh my, ran it to the Lord knows where
The lyrics to The Doc Watson Family's song Reuben's Train portray an intriguing narrative. The song seems to be about a train built by a man named Reuben that runs to an unknown place. The line "Oh me, oh my, ran it to the Lord knows where" emphasizes the mysterious nature of the train's route. Later on in the song, we hear about a whistle that can be heard from a hundred miles away, implying that the train is powerful and significant.
Line by Line Meaning
Ol' Reuben made a train and he put it on a track
Reuben created a train and set it on a path
He ran it to the Lord knows where
He traveled with the train to unknown destinations
Oh me, oh my, ran it to the Lord knows where
Expressing amazement and surprise at the train's journey
Shoulda been in town when Reuben's train went down
It would have been an event to observe when Reuben's train met an accident
You could hear that whistle blow a hundred miles
The sound of the accident was heard from a far distance
Oh me, oh my, you could hear the whistle blow a hundred miles
Expressing shock and awe at the train's disastrous incident
Last night I lay in jail had no money to go my bail
Narrating a story of being locked up in prison without funds to acquire freedom
Lord how it sleeted and it snowed
Describing the adverse weather condtions while in jail
Oh me, oh my, Lord how it sleeted and it snowed
Communicating the unpleasant experience of being in jail during severe weather conditions
I've been to the East, I've been to the West
Sharing the information of traveling to different parts of the country
I'm going where the chilly winds don't blow
Looking forward to moving to a warmer environment
Oh me, oh my, I'm going where the chilly winds don't blow
Expressing excitement about the prospect of being in a more temperate region
Oh, the train that I ride is a hundred coaches long
Talking about the length of the train he is currently on
You can hear the whistle blow a hundred miles
The sound of the train's whistle is audible from a far distance
Oh me, oh my, you can hear the whistle blow a hundred miles
Re-emphasizing the distance covered by the train, with awe and amazement
I got myself a blade, laid Reuben in the shade
Acquired a knife and took Reuben to a peaceful resting spot
I'm startin' me a graveyard of my own
Planning to create a private cemetery
Oh, me, oh, lordy my, startin' me a graveyard of my own
Expressing excitement and enthusiasm about the idea of having a personal burial ground
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: DOC WATSON
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