Mistery Train
The Doors Lyrics


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Train arrive
Sixteen coaches long.
Train arrive
Sixteen coaches long.

Well that mean old train,
Took my baby;
He's gone.
Train, train

Coming 'round the bend.
Train, train
Coming 'round the bend.
Yeah that mean old evil train

Took my one and only friend.
Train, train
Coming down the line.
Train, train

Coming down the line.
Well that mean old rotten train
Took the only friend of mine.
Train, train

Coming down the track.
Train, train
Coming down the track.
Yeah he took my baby

And he never bring her back, alright.
Whoo, whoo.
Train, train
Come and gone.

Took my baby,
Took my baby,
Took my love
Away...





Well I woke up this morning, yeah.
Nothing on my mind.

Overall Meaning

The Doors's song "Mystery Train" is a bluesy and mournful tune about the loss of a loved one to a train - a metaphor for death. The song's repetition of "train arrive, sixteen coaches long" creates a haunting and ominous feeling, as the train is portrayed as a grim reaper-like figure, taking away the singer's baby and only friend. The train's arrival is portrayed as a menacing force that cannot be stopped, and the singer is left feeling helpless in the face of its power.


The lyrics use vivid and evocative language to convey a sense of loss and despair, as the singer comes to terms with the permanent separation from their loved one. The repetition of "train, train" throughout the song creates a hypnotic and rhythmic effect, conveying the relentlessness of time and the inevitable march of death.


Overall, "Mystery Train" is a poignant and emotional song about the pain of losing someone close to you. Its stark and haunting lyrics, combined with the Doors' signature blues-infused sound, create a powerful and memorable experience for the listener.


Line by Line Meaning

Train arrive
The arrival of a train is announced


Sixteen coaches long.
The train is a long one composed of sixteen coaches


Train arrive
The arrival of the same train is announced again


Sixteen coaches long.
The composition of the train remains the same


Well that mean old train,
The singer expresses his negative opinion of the train


Took my baby;
The train has taken the singer's lover away


He's gone.
The person taken by the train is now absent


Train, train Coming 'round the bend.
Another train is approaching


Train, train Coming 'round the bend.
The same train is now closer


Yeah that mean old evil train Took my one and only friend.
The train is malicious and has taken the singer's best friend


Train, train Coming down the line.
The approaching train is still getting closer


Train, train Coming down the line.
The same train is getting closer by the second


Well that mean old rotten train Took the only friend of mine.
The train has taken the singer's dearest companion


Train, train Coming down the track.
The train has now entered the station


Train, train Coming down the track.
The same train has now pulled into the station


Yeah he took my baby And he never bring her back, alright. Whoo, whoo.
The singer's lover has been taken by the train and won't be coming back anytime soon


Train, train Come and gone.
The train has come to its destination and has left


Took my baby, Took my baby, Took my love Away...
The repeated chorus reinforces the idea that the train has taken something precious from the singer


Well I woke up this morning, yeah. Nothing on my mind.
Despite the traumatic event, the singer appears to have moved on and has nothing on his mind upon waking up




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HERMAN PARKER JR., SAM PHILLIPS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@moreton77mansley24

The hours pooled, congealed and marroon,
Footprints stain the one track mind
A stilletoe spiked the nights ' last call
Cloaked in sillence she drank alone.

Her laced stare poisoned the room,
Metalic air ribboned a nicotine dawn
A thousand men she spent on wine
Empty veselles distilled of life
Alone she walked the morning home



@ponnywarcat3478

"I saw my sister,
I came to say goodbye."
"Told her I loved her,"
"Then she punched me in the eye."
"Saw my mother,
She could not look me
in the eye."
"she was cry'in,
But I did not ask her why."

-Old Black Train Song



All comments from YouTube:

@redbannerradio7918

This is literally the Doors absolute peak in my opinion. This live performance show cases every aspect of the band that made them fucking legendary. The unmatched talent of Ray, John's incredible jazzy and melodic drumming, Robbie's stellar blues guitar mixed with his flamenco-esque training, and of course Jim sounding more haunting than ever before. And the way they transition into Away In India is fucking incredible, and adds that psychedelic, yet almost primal flare. Jim screaming "THAT'S RIGHT!", just fucking perfect. They all just sound like they'd rather be no where else than right there on stage jamming their asses off. The best American band ever.

@andrewenglish2901

Man your a believer. Incredible. The whole band. What about rhe last words of Jim?

@victoragustintobonmoncada7293

That,s right

@josephvonbulow1164

,🍻👍🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻

@gabrielanvicosa

I don't understand how these gentlemen manage to give me chills every time. Every time.

@vasilii6417

The Doors didn't give you a song to listen to, they took you on a journey. It wasn't a concert, it was an experience. People left changed.

@378904

it's magic...!!!

@yannickgregor7679

And imagine that Jim never "learned" to sing...

@bobsnittle3793

@@yannickgregor7679 "to learn" is to imply theres a preordained rule to how it should be done; clever use of quotations

@awaretenacious

Because Jim Morrison is a Celtic-American hero.

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