Slow Train

Slow Train


Look up Annie, there’s a black train on my tail
How could I tell you who to love, how not to fail?
But for awhile I'd be good to you
And more than that, Lord I wish I knew
Going down the tracks, even a slow train catches you

Those aren’t stars in your eyes, only coins for the ferryman
(Hear that whistle blowin')
I still blame your parents for inviting the vampire in
(That train whistle blowing)
And all the times I said don’t run from home
But had I known, child, had I known
Hindsight's like a copper in a purse of ring-wove gold

You said, go down to the river if you’re lost deep in the woods
(Hear that whistle blowin')
I couldn’t hear the water so I followed what I understood
(That train whistle blowing)
And for awhile I didn’t feel any pain
Nor cold from walking in the winter rain
When your arms had found me, I felt no warmth, all the same

So look up Annie, there’s a black train on my tail
Wish I had more to give you than a ghost for your white whale
But for awhile, hope I was good to you
And more than that, I wish I didn’t do
Going down the tracks, even a slow train catches you

Hear that whistle blowin'
That train whistle blowing
Hear that whistle blowin'
That train whistle blowing...


Written in late 2017
Revised September 27, 2019