I Think About That Train

I Think About That Train
(Flannery)

Along the railroad tracks my Daddy lived he watched the trains go past
picking up coal in a burlap sack if it took the curve too fast
in the rattle of the lungs he saw the killing floor
in the eyes of old men behind the screen door
I think about that train

Well I think about that train
I think about that train
I don’t wanna be the same
tied up with that ball and chain
I think about that train

Met my Mom and knocked her up didn’t want to go to hell
married the stranger in the backseat everybody wished them well
found just enough work to feel real bad
for the things we wanted but could not have
I think about that train

I think about that train
I think about that train
no flattened pennies on the track
’cause I ain’t ever coming back
well I think about that train

Swing shifts post-it notes key left in the door
leftovers in the fridge dirty clothes on the floor
smiles for the neighbors
summer trips to the shore
six hours of silence
then home to some more

I think about that train
I think about that train
I don’t wanna be the same
tied up with that ball and chain
I think about that train

Pretty maids all in a row get shelter from the storm
I’ve been slowly dying since the day that I was born
come get a ticket take the ride
I’ll meet you on the other side
I think about that train

I think about that train
I think about that train
I don’t wanna be the same
tied up with that ball and chain
I think about that train

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