Mystery Train
The Staples Lyrics
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Train I ride, sixteen coaches long
Well, that long black train, got my baby and gone
Train, train, comin' round the bend
Train, train, comin' round the bend
Well, it took my baby, but it never will again
No, not again
Train, train, comin' down, down the line
Train, train, comin' down, down the line
Well, it's bringin' my baby, 'cause she's mine, all mine
She's mine, all mine
Train, train, comin' round, round the bend
Round, round the bend
Train, train, comin' round, round the bend
Round, round the bend
Well, it took my baby, but it never will again
Never will again
Whoo-oo-oo-oo-oo-hoo
The Staples Singers’ “Mystery Train” is a blues track with a steady, rhythmic beat that has had numerous interpretations over the years. At its core, the song appears to reflect on the devastation and loss that can be caused by a long black train. The singer is of the opinion that his lover has been taken away by this train, which signals tragedy and irreversible loss. The steady refrain, “Train, train, comin’ round the bend,” emphasizes the inevitability of the train’s arrival and the unstoppable nature of the forces at work that killed his love.
The themes of the song, including loss and the inevitability of powerful forces, resonate with many people in modern society, making Mystery Train a beloved classic. The song’s power lies in its ability to transport the listener to the singer’s world, where the characters exist in a world that is as mysterious and unpredictable as the train that took his love away. The song is a powerful example of the staples of blues music, and deserves a place in anyone’s playlists.
Line by Line Meaning
Train I ride, sixteen coaches long
I am on a train that is exceptionally long with sixteen coaches, carrying many people or things.
Well, that long black train, got my baby and gone
A metaphorical train, represented as black, has taken my beloved and left me.
Train, train, comin' round the bend
Another train is arriving and turning a corner.
Well, it took my baby, but it never will again
The previous train took my beloved, but the new train will not take them away again.
Train, train, comin' down, down the line
Another train is heading towards us on the tracks.
Well, it's bringin' my baby, 'cause she's mine, all mine
This new train is bringing my beloved back to me because they belong to me and me alone.
Train, train, comin' round, round the bend
The arrival of a train is approaching a corner once again.
Well, it took my baby, but it never will again
Although the previous train took my beloved, no other train will take them away from me again.
Whoo-oo-oo-oo-oo-hoo
A vocalization expressing a feeling of sadness or longing for what was lost on the train.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HERMAN PARKER JR., SAM PHILLIPS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind