Train Train

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a picture of desperate departure, fueled by love and a sense of self-deprecation. The narrator's plea, "Lord, take me on out of this town," immediately establishes a tone of urgent escape. This isn't just a casual trip; it's a flight from his current circumstances, driven by the desire to follow a woman who is "Memphis-bound." The opening "All a-fucking-board!" sets a raw, unvarnished tone for this journey. The central tension lies in the narrator's perceived inadequacy and his love for a woman he believes he cannot keep. He calls himself a "raggedy hobo," a label that underscores his feeling of worthlessness and inability to provide. This self-view contrasts sharply with the implied desires of the woman he loves, who he urges to "Get yourself a money man." It’s a painful realization that his current state might not be enough for her, leading to his own departure. The repeated invocation of the "train" serves as a powerful, almost desperate, vehicle for both escape and reunion. The phrase "train, train" is a simple, insistent plea, mirroring the rhythm of travel and the narrator's singular focus. The imagery of the "midnight train to Memphis" in the third verse is particularly striking, suggesting a clandestine or urgent departure for the woman, and by extension, for himself. The lyrics suggest a complex mix of longing, resignation, and a defiant spirit, as hinted by the final "this one's for the rebels."