Midnight Train
The Johnny Burnette Trio Lyrics

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I left my gal sad and lonely, left her standing in the rain
I went down to the railroad, I caught myself a midnight train
I beat my way into Texas, landed in a gambling town
I got myself into trouble, I shot the county sheriff down

Oh Lord, I shot the county sheriff down
They put the handcuffs on me, tied me with a ball and chain
They took me to El Paso, they tied me with a ball and chain

These prisonbars all around me, no-one to call my bail

My heart's sad and so lonely, I want to get out of this jail
Oh Lord, I want to get out of this jail
The jury read the verdict, murder in the first degree
The judge said, take this prisoner to the penitentiary

They put the handcuffs on me, tied me with a ball and chain

I'd left my home forever and I'll never see my gal again
Oh Lord, I'll never see my gal again

Overall Meaning

The Johnny Burnette Trio's song Midnight Train is a classic country-blues tune that tells the story of a man who has left his girlfriend behind, caught a midnight train to a gambling town in Texas, and then ended up shooting the county sheriff. The song is full of sorrow and regret as the singer finds himself imprisoned and facing a life sentence for murder.

The opening stanza of the song highlights the singer's reckless and impulsive decision to leave his girlfriend behind in the rain and take the midnight train. The use of the phrase "beat my way" suggests a sense of desperation and urgency as he heads to Texas. However, his arrival in the gambling town leads to trouble as he ends up shooting the county sheriff, a crime for which he is later convicted.

The final stanza of the song is perhaps the most poignant as the singer reflects on the life he once had, and how he will never see his girlfriend again. The use of the phrase "left my home forever" implies that the singer now realizes the full extent of the poor choices he has made.

Overall, Midnight Train is a powerful and emotive song that captures the essence of classic country-blues. Through its vivid storytelling and haunting melody, the song explores the themes of regret, loneliness, and the destructive power of impulse.

Line by Line Meaning

I left my gal sad and lonely, left her standing in the rain
I caused immense emotional pain to my girlfriend by leaving her standing in the pouring rain all by herself.

I went down to the railroad, I caught myself a midnight train
I used the railway to travel on a train that left at midnight, hoping to start a new life somewhere else.

I beat my way into Texas, landed in a gambling town
I sneaked my way into the state of Texas and ended up in a town where gambling was the norm.

I got myself into trouble, I shot the county sheriff down
I caused myself to have big problems by shooting down the local sheriff in that town.

Oh Lord, I shot the county sheriff down
I am expressing regret and sorrow for my actions and the decision I made to end someone's life.

They put the handcuffs on me, tied me with a ball and chain
I was restrained with handcuffs and a heavy metal ball and chain as punishment for my crime.

They took me to El Paso, they tied me with a ball and chain
I was taken to the city of El Paso while still chained up as a prisoner, showing how little freedom and agency I had.

These prisonbars all around me, no-one to call my bail
I am surrounded by prison bars and unable to leave, with no one willing or able to pay for my bail to set me free.

My heart's sad and so lonely, I want to get out of this jail
My emotions are melancholic and I am desperately yearning to escape the confines of the jail.

Oh Lord, I want to get out of this jail
I am vocalizing my sincere wish and plea to be freed from the misery of my current situation.

The jury read the verdict, murder in the first degree
The official verdict announced by the jury was that I was guilty of committing first degree murder.

The judge said, take this prisoner to the penitentiary
The judge ordered for me to be taken to the penitentiary, where I will serve time for my crime.

I'd left my home forever and I'll never see my gal again
By leaving my home and committing a crime, I have permanently severed ties with my girlfriend and will never see her again.

Oh Lord, I'll never see my gal again
I am expressing deep sorrow and pain at the thought of losing someone I love and knowing we will never be reunited.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BILLY ROBERTSON, WILLIAM ROBERTSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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