Reuben’s Train

Song Meaning

Rag’n’Bone Man’s stark narrative, "Reuben's Train," isn't just a folksy tale; it's a chilling exploration of desperation and self-destruction. The recurring image of Reuben and his train immediately establishes a relentless journey, but one pointedly headed 'God knows where' – suggesting a life adrift, lacking purpose. The repeated lament, 'Oh Lordy me, oh Lordy my,' underscores a profound sense of weariness and resignation, a burden carried throughout Reuben's aimless existence. The train itself morphs into a symbol of both relentless forward motion and inescapable circularity, as Reuben remains 'running round them train tracks all his days.' The song's bleak turning point arrives with the line 'So he got himself a blade, laid old Reuben in the shade.' This isn't merely an act of violence; it's an act of self-annihilation. The use of 'old Reuben' suggests a separation, as if he's killing off a part of himself that can no longer be tolerated. The subsequent declaration that he's 'gonna start a graveyard of his own' deepens the psychological complexity. It speaks to a desire for control in the face of overwhelming helplessness, a twisted attempt to create meaning out of meaninglessness by claiming ownership over death. Ultimately, "Reuben's Train," is a haunting meditation on the cyclical nature of despair. Rag’n’Bone Man uses stark imagery and repetitive phrasing to create a portrait of a man trapped by his own choices and circumstances, driven to a point where self-destruction becomes the only perceived escape. It's a dark and unsettling song, but one that resonates with a raw, unflinching honesty about the human condition. The stark simplicity of the lyrics amplifies the emotional weight, leaving the listener with a lingering sense of unease and a profound understanding of Reuben's tragic fate.