The Songs He Sang
This Train: Lyrics
As performed by Cisco Houston
Words and Music adapted by Woody Guthrie
(Or, as it says on the promo label) Lewis Allen
Appears on:This train's been traveling through the long night This train's a special coming through This train ain't stopping for no red lights This train that brings me home to you This train don't carry any gamblers This train ain't got no whiskey crew This train don't pull no fancy women This train that brings me home to you Wait at the station and pray for me This time I swear I'm coming back Wait at the station and pray for me There's a strange light shining on the track This train's been traveling through the dark night This train's a long time overdue This train is taking home a sinner This train that brings me home to you This train that brings me home to you
Of note:
What a train wreck of an opening to this CD. Reminisicent of a "Jackie Gleason and the June Taylor Dancers" arrangement, this dreadful chorus, led (or sabotaged) by Milt Okun, undercuts all of Cisco's charm. A leaden song, regardless of who wrote it, though others have performed it well, this version is run off the tracks by a chorus that sounds as out of place as an electric guitar at a folk festival. (That's a joke, son....) Cisco sings best when given a simple song, a guitar and maybe some background musicians. But Bah! Humbug to this chorus and their "Woo-woo".
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