Engine Number 9
Wilson Pickett Lyrics

Engine, engine number nine
Addressing the locomotive train and identifying it by its engine number to initiate communication.

Can you get me back on time?
Asking the train to take the singer to his destination within the expected timeframe.

Move on, move on down the track
Encouraging the train to continue its journey on the railroad.

Keep that steam comin' out the stack
Urging the train to maintain its momentum and speed.

Keep on movin, keep on movin', keep on movin'
Repeating the same exhortation made a few lines ago, emphasizing the importance of not slowing down or stopping.

Engine, engine number nine
Repeating the same address to the train to signify the continuity of the request.

Keep on movin' down the line
Instructing the train to keep moving ahead on the railroad tracks.

Seem like I've been gone for days
Expressing the singer's feelings of being away from his loved one for an extended period, which has made him eager to see her again.

I can't wait to see my baby's face
Conveying the singer's excitement and anticipation of reuniting with his partner.

Been so long since I have
Admitting that it has been a long time since the singer has seen his lover, emphasizing his yearning for her.

Since I have, been so long, since I have, ah
Repeating the same thought to reinforce the idea expressed in the previous line.

Been so long since I have
Repeating the admission to highlight the singer's deprivation of his lover's company.

Been so long since I kissed her, aah
Specifically mentioning that the singer has missed kissing his lover, indicating a longing for physical affection.

Move on, move on down the line
Repeating the same instruction as earlier to keep the train moving ahead on the tracks.

Look here, been so long
Drawing the listener's attention to the fact that it has been a considerable amount of time since the singer has seen his beloved.

I can't wait to see my baby's face
Repeating the same expression of eagerness to meet the singer's partner.

Move on, move on
Repeating the same instruction to keep the train moving.

Ow, move on
A vocal expression of delight and excitement for the singer to anticipate his reunion with his lover.

Aah, g-go on about it, gotta get there, ow, hah
An exclamation of eagerness and determination to reach the destination quickly and joyfully.

Ah, ah, that sounded all right
The singer acknowledging that the music played by the band is the way he wanted it to be.

I think I'm gonna hold it a little bit longer
Deciding to stretch out the duration of the song, showing the singer's delight in the music and perhaps creating an analogy with the desire to prolong a happy moment.

I wanna let the boys do this a little bit, huh
Expanding that the singer wants to provide space for the other band members to improvise and take the lead on the song.

Aah, got to, got to
Expressing the singer's eagerness and obsession for the music to continue playing and is extremely excited about it.

G-g-g-get it
An exclamation of joy, delight, and approval; the singer is audibly appreciative of the music.

Got to, got to, got to, got to get it
The singer repeating the same phrase to emphasize how much he loves the music.

Ow, huh
A vocal expression of pure joy and excitement.

Move on
A short but emphatic message to keep the train moving forward.

Lord have mercy, feel all right
An expression of relief and joy, highlighting that the singer is in a state of happiness, pleasure, and satisfaction.

Whoo
A vocal expression of excitement or enthusiasm.

Got to keep movin', keep on movin'
Repeating the same instruction to encourage the locomotive to continue its journey on the tracks.

Got to keep movin'
Repeating the same phrase to emphasize the importance of the train not stopping or slowing down.

Got to, got to, got to, got to, got to, got to keep movin'
Repeating the instruction six times in a row, highlighting the singer's determination to keep moving forward.

Aah, oh, whoo, ha, so
An expression of pure joy and excitement, with sounds of laughter and enthusiasm.

Huh, oh, ow
A vocal expression of pleasure, delight, and perhaps surprise.

Play your guitar, son, oh, ah
Encouraging the guitar player to take the lead and play his instrument to the fullest.

Ow
An expression of excitement and approval.

Get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it
Urging the band members to continue playing with enthusiasm and energy.

Get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, oh
Repeating the same phrase multiple times to emphasize the importance of the music to continue in full swing.

Hah, whoo, shucks, get on up
An expression of joy and approval for the music being played and encouraging others to join in the fun.

Take me to my baby's place
Expressing the longing to be taken to his lover's location as soon as possible.

Got to hold her in my arms
Desiring to hold his lover as soon as possible, displaying the singer's deep love and affection for his partner.

Ow
A vocal expression of excitement, enthusiasm, and approval.

Ooh, 'gon, hah, huh
A series of vocal expressions that indicate that the singer is enjoying himself and is delighted with the music.

Huh
A vocal expression of satisfaction or attainment that suggests the singer realizes his goal of enjoying good music.

Move on
Repeating the instruction one last time as the singer wraps up the song, reinforcing the importance of continuous growth and change.

Gotta keep movin', gotta keep movin', gotta keep movin'
Repeating the same instruction three times in a row, emphasizing that the journey is just as important as the destination.

Love me, love me, love me, love me now
A call to action, resultantly urging the listener to express their love and affection towards the singer immediately.

Ooh, got to keep movin', got to move
Repeating the instruction stressing the importance of not being complacent and to keep moving and evolving continuously.

Ow
A vocal expression of approval and satisfaction.