<… Read Full Bio ↴The definitive Afroamerican gospel group in the jubilee quartet style.
Founded as the Golden Gate Jubilee Quartet in Norfolk, Virginia in 1934 by A. C. “Eddie” Griffin, Robert “Peg” Ford, Henry Owens, and Bill Johnson, they began as a traditional jubilee quartet, combining the clever arrangements associated with barbershop quartets with rhythms borrowed from the blues and jazz.
The makeup of the group changed over the years, as some members were drafted during the war and new members were brought in to replace those who had retired or left to join other groups. William Langford joined the group when Griffin left in 1935 and Orlandus Wilson replaced Ford the same year. Clyde Riddick replaced Langford in 1938, Johnson left in 1948 to join “The Jubalaires” and Owens left the group later to become a preacher and solo artist. Riddick remained with the group until his retirement in 1995 and Wilson until his death in 1998.
The Gates had a broad repertoire of styles—from Owens’ mournful, understated approach in songs such as Anyhow or Hush, Somebody’s Calling My Name, to the group’s highly syncopated arrangements in Shadrach, Meshach and Abendigo. Like The Mills Brothers of popular music, they would often include vocal special effects in their songs, imitating train sounds in songs such as Golden Gate Gospel Train. Langford often sang lead, using his ability to range from baritone to falsetto, while Johnson narrated in a hip syncopated style that became the hallmark for the group.
Gospel Train
The Golden Gate Quartet Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wah wah!
Get on board
Better get your ticket now
My Lord, she blows
Wah-wah
The soul train is coming
You better get your business right
You know the train's going to be here tonight
(Ah, Lord)
Don't you hear the whistle blowing
Hear the bells are tolling
Don't you hear the engine exhausting friends
You know the train's going to be here tonight
Now before she enters the pearly gates of Heaven
Can't you imagine that you can hear this train blow
She blows her power
Lord, so low
You know the train's going to be here tonight
(Ah, Lord)
Train's going to be here tonight
(Ah, Lord)
Train's going to be here tonight
(Ah, Lord)
Ah, sinner man
Don't you think you can ride this train
You better set your house in order friend
You know the train going to be here tonight
My Lord she blows
Wah!
Wah!
Wa-waah!
Train's going to be here tonight
(Ah, Lord)
Wah!
Wah!
Wa-waah!
Woah
Wah!
Train's going to be here tonight
(Ah, Lord)
Wah!
Wa-waah!
The Golden Gate Quartet's song Golden Gate Gospel Train speaks about the imminent arrival of a train, which is symbolic of the soul train carrying people to heaven. The opening verse of "My Lord she blows/Wah wah!/Get on board/Better get your ticket now/My Lord, she blows/ Wah-wah" is a call to action that urges people to grab their tickets and get prepared for the ride.
The lyrics then shift to the warning about how one needs to be prepared for the arrival of the train, making sure that they have put their "house in order" spiritually. The train signifies the end of life, and "before she enters the pearly gates of Heaven" represents the judgment day. The lyrics remind listeners to hear the whistle blowing, the bells tolling, and the engine exhausting, and get ready for the journey towards the eternal destination. The chorus repetition ("Train’s going to be here tonight/Ah, Lord") emphasizes the urgency that every listener needs to grab their ticket and get on board as time awaits nobody to be ready.
In essence, the song is a call to every sinner to make their house in order and be prepared for the arrival of the soul train, which will carry them through the judgment to their eternal destination. It's a message of hope, reminding sinners that they still have a chance to get on the train and make it right before it's too late.
Line by Line Meaning
My Lord she blows
The call to salvation is coming, signalled by the 'blowing' or announcement of the Gospel train.
Wah wah!
Expresses enthusiasm and excitement about the upcoming journey that the Gospel train is taking.
Get on board
An invitation to all to join the journey of salvation that the Gospel train is undertaking.
Better get your ticket now
A reminder that the journey of salvation requires preparation and commitment, just like boarding a train requires a ticket.
The soul train is coming
The Gospel train is bringing the message of salvation to the people, and will transport them towards spiritual fulfillment.
You better get your business right
Preparing for salvation requires putting one's life in order and doing what is necessary to be in a good state of mind and spirit.
You better set your house in order, friends
Similar to the previous line, salvation requires spiritual and personal preparation to be ready for the journey on the Gospel train.
You know the train's going to be here tonight
A reminder that the call to salvation is imminent and must not be taken lightly, as the Gospel train is arriving soon.
(Ah, Lord)
An expression of awe and reverence for God as the source of salvation and the Gospel train's conductor.
Don't you hear the whistle blowing
The Gospel train's arrival is being announced through the sound of the whistle, urging people to prepare for salvation.
Hear the bells are tolling
The Gospel train and its message of salvation are being announced through the sounding of church bells, further emphasizing the importance of the call.
Don't you hear the engine exhausting friends
The Gospel train's power and message of salvation are being conveyed through the sound of the engine, a reminder to be ready for the journey on board.
Now before she enters the pearly gates of Heaven
Before the Gospel train reaches its final destination of Heaven, people have the opportunity to board and join the journey towards salvation.
Can't you imagine that you can hear this train blow
The call to salvation is loud and clear, and those who are willing to listen can hear the announcement being made through various means.
She blows her power
The Gospel train's message of salvation has the power to transform people's lives and bring them closer to God.
Lord, so low
Expressing humility and awe at the power and magnitude of the Gospel train's message of salvation.
Train's going to be here tonight
Reiterating the imminence and urgency of the Gospel train's arrival, and the necessity of preparing for the journey towards salvation.
Ah, sinner man
Addressing those who have not yet found salvation, reminding them that the Gospel train is open to all who are willing to join.
Don't you think you can ride this train
Encouraging those who have not yet found salvation to take the opportunity to board the Gospel train and find spiritual fulfillment.
Woah
An expression of awe at the transformative power of the Gospel train's message of salvation.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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