Midnight Train
The Washboard Union Lyrics
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I'll be going away to stay
I always wanted to know where that engine did go
Gonna go where it goes today
I have been all around my old home town
I've searched everywhere I know
But I can't find a trace of my girl in this place
And I'll be riding that midnight train when it's leavin'
I'll be going going away to stay
I always wanted to know where that engine did go
Gonna go where it goes today
Oh she said she'd be true till the fighting was through
That she'd wait for me till the end
But as she's proven untrue and our sweet love is through
Now I'm catching that train again
And I'll be riding that midnight train when it's leavin'
I'll be going going away to stay
I always wanted to know where that engine did go
Gonna go where it goes today
When she hears that old song, will she know that she's wrong,
When I'm leaving my old hometown.
She said that she'd wait just to be my sweet maid,
Laid my heart to the ground.
And I'll be riding that midnight train when it's leavin'
I'll be going going away to stay
I always wanted to know where that engine did go
Gonna go where it goes today
I've seen that old train pulling out in the rain
I've seen her with the stars up above
Like a hound on the trail, hell it carries the mail
To take me away from my love
And I'll be riding that midnight train when it's leavin'
I'll be going going away to stay
I always wanted to know where that engine did go
Gonna go where it goes today
[x2]
I'm gonna go where it goes today
The Washboard Union's "Midnight Train" is a song about letting go of the past and moving on to a new future. The singer has been searching for his lost love all around his old hometown, but to no avail. There's nothing left for him here so he decides to leave and ride the "midnight train," a symbol of a new start. The train represents hope, dreams, and new beginnings.
The lyrics are full of metaphors and imagery, describing the train as a hound on the trail, carrying the mail to take the singer away from his love. The song's melancholic tone complements the longing and sense of loss that the singer feels. The lyrics also touch on themes of betrayal and forgiveness, as the singer's lover has proven to be untrue, and he doubts whether she'll realize her mistake when he's leaving.
The song's chorus repeats its central message, "I always wanted to know where that engine did go, gonna go where it goes today." It signifies the singer's resolve to let go of his past and embrace the unknown future, even if it means leaving behind everything he's ever known.
Line by Line Meaning
And I'll be riding that midnight train when it's leavin'
I will leave my old hometown by taking the midnight train.
I'll be going away to stay
I will leave the town permanently.
I always wanted to know where that engine did go
I am curious about the destination of the train.
Gonna go where it goes today
I will follow the train wherever it goes.
I have been all around my old home town
I have searched for my girlfriend in every possible place in the town.
I've searched everywhere I know
I have looked for my girlfriend in every familiar location.
But I can't find a trace of my girl in this place
I cannot find any hint or sign of my girlfriend in this place.
So there's nothing to do but go
Since I cannot find my girlfriend, I have no other option but to leave.
Oh she said she'd be true till the fighting was through
My girlfriend promised to be loyal until the end of the war.
That she'd wait for me till the end
She assured me that she would not move on romantically while I was away fighting.
But as she's proven untrue and our sweet love is through
Unfortunately, she has betrayed my trust, and our relationship has come to an end.
Now I'm catching that train again
I am taking the train once more to move on from the hurt and betrayal.
When she hears that old song, will she know that she's wrong,
I wonder if my girlfriend will finally realize the mistake she has made when she hears this song later on.
When I'm leaving my old hometown.
At the time of my departure, I hope that she understands that it's her fault that we couldn't be together.
She said that she'd wait just to be my sweet maid,
My girlfriend promised to wait for me and be my loyal partner.
Laid my heart to the ground.
However, she has broken my heart into a million pieces by betraying me.
I've seen that old train pulling out in the rain
I have watched the train leave the station on rainy days.
I've seen her with the stars up above
I have seen the train leave the station at night with the stars shining above.
Like a hound on the trail, hell it carries the mail
The train is like a hunting dog on the hunt, and it carries messages/mail from one place to another.
To take me away from my love
The train is taking me away from my former love, my girlfriend.
I'm gonna go where it goes today
I am following the train's tracks and going wherever it goes today.
Contributed by Wyatt F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Debby Delmore
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS! Thank you guys for doing my Dad's song and they would be so proud! Gotta dance!
carmium
Saw you guys on the news this morning and had to see more! You guys can really play - and sing. You've got a lot of talent there. Best of luck for the future!
Brooke Roach
You guys are the best, I love this song! I got to see you guys perform at the CCMA's in Saskatoon this year and you are amazing! You guys have the real down home country sound and so much talent!
Janice MacIsaac
One of my faves!!!
❤️
Jessica Steel
Beautifully done! Love all the songs that you sing they make me smile and dance with joy! Loved seeing you in Liverpool NS hope you all come back again! 😊
Emily Johnston
You guys are amazing! You seem to love the music and have some mad skills... You should come play London, Ontario!
CodeRedWheels
Fantastic! amazing harmonies and musicianship, and a ton of fun!!
C Swank
Wow - my bad. Didn't realize The Washboard Union have been around this long. I had better get caught up by talking, talking, talking, and sharing, sharing, sharing. This is a tight 'true' country song - no flaws.
The Washboard Union
C Swank thank you! We appreciate the talk, talk, talk, and the share, share, share!!
Anna Rempel
You guys should cover the Dillard's songs, would sound awesome.