The Trains
Tunnelling through the night, the trains pass
in a splendour of power, with a sound like thunder
shaking the orchards, waking
the young from a dream, scattering like glass
the old mens' sleep, laying
a black trail over the still bloom of the orchards;
the trains go north with guns.
Strange primitive piece of flesh, the heart laid quiet
hearing their cry pierce through its thin-walled cave
recalls the forgotten tiger,
and leaps awake in its old panic riot;
and how shall mind be sober,
since blood's red thread still binds us fast in history?
Tiger, you walk through all our past and future,
troubling the children's sleep'; laying
a reeking trail across our dreams of orchards.
Racing on iron errands, the trains go by,
and over the white acres of our orchards
hurl their wild summoning cry, their animal cry….
the trains go north with guns.
poem by Judith Wright

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Related quotes
Trains
Here I am at the end of the day
With a cup of cold coffee
From the station buffet.
On trains, on trains I seem
To spend my life on trains.
See the blue suit banker in the ticket line.
Got an evening standard with playboy
Hidden behind.
On trains, on trains he seems
To spend his life on trains.
Time after time.
Was I just dreaming?
Did I help you aboard?
Full passenger service ---
Let me help with the door.
Sit down take the weight off your feet.
Theres a train full of people Id like
You to meet.
On trains, on trains we love
To spend our lives on trains.
Join the secret world of trains.
Feel the pleasure. touch the pain.
Drift into yesterday.
Once and again
I was just thinking.
We could meet sometime
On the 17.30 where
I usually find
My friends at the end of the day.
May we pay your fare, lady?
We should like you to stay
In our train. on trains ---
Youll have to spend your life
On trains.
I hear theres an office party on the 18.05.
Youll be home for christmas if they
Take you alive from the train.
Those trains, we have to spend our lives
On trains.
Once and again
I was just thinking.
We could meet any time
On number two platform
Where I usually find
My friends at the end of the day.
On trains, trains, trains.
song performed by by Jethro Tull

Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Jenny Dreamed Of Trains
This song was first released on the all aboard! album. it is the only album it has been released on.
When jenny was a little girl, she only dreamed of trains
She never played with dolls or lacy kinds of things
Jenny counted boxcars instead of counting sheep
She could go anywhere when she went to sleep
All she ever talked about was getting on to ride
She was living in another time you could see it in her eyes
And every day after school shed head down to the track
Waiting for the train that was never coming back
Jenny dreamed of trains
When the nighttime came
Nobody knew how she made it come true
Jenny dreamed of trains
The depots been boarded up, the rails have turned to rust
There hasnt been a train through here since the mill went bust
No one believed her when she said she heard the train
Said she was just a little girl acting kind of strange
Jenny dreamed of trains
When the nighttime came
Nobody knew how she made it come true
Jenny dreamed of trains
Jenny laid a penny on the track one day
In God we trust she walked away
The very next morning all she could find
Was a little piece of copper squashed flatter than a dime
Jenny dreamed of trains
When the nighttime came
Nobody knew how she made it come true
Jenny dreamed of trains
Nobody knew how she made it come true
Jenny dreamed of trains
Words and music by vince gill and guy clark
song performed by by John Denver

Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Orchards
Orchards in the Spring-time! Oh, I think and think of them,—
Filmy mists of pink and white above the fresh, young green,
Lifting and drifting,—how my eyes could drink of them,
I'm staring at a dirty wall beyond a big machine.
Orchards in the Spring-time! Deep in soft, cool shadows,—
Moving all together when the west wind blows
Fragrance upon fragrance over road and meadows—
I'm smelling heat and oil and sweat, and thick, black clothes.
Orchards in the Spring-time! The clean white and pink of them
Lifting and drifting with all the winds that blow.
Orchards in the Spring-time! Thank God I still can think of them!
You're not docked for thinking, — if the foreman doesn't know.
poem by Theodosia Garrison

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Trains And Boats And Planes
Trains and boats and planes are passing by
They mean a trip to Paris or Rome
To someone else but not for me
The trains and boats and planes
Took you away, away from me
We were so in love, and high above
We had a star to wish upon. Wish
And dreams come true, but not for me
The trains and boats and planes
Took you away, away from me
You are from another part of the world
You had to go back a while and then
You said you soon would return again
I'm waiting here like I promised to
I'm waiting here but where are you?
Trains and boats and planes took you a way
But every time I see them I pray
And if my prayers can cross the sea
The trains and the boats and planes
song performed by by Fountains Of Wayne

Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Last Of The Steam-powered Trains
Like the last of the good ol puffer trains,
Im the last of the blood and sweat brigade,
And I dont know where Im going, or why I came.
Im the last of the good old fashioned steam-powered trains.
Im the last of the good old renegades.
All my friends are all middle class and grey,
But I live in a museum, so Im okay.
Im the last of the good old fashioned steam-powered trains.
Like the last of the good ol choo-choo trains,
Huff and puff till I blow this world away,
And Im gonna keep on rollin till my dying day.
Im the last of the good old fashioned steam-powered trains.
Like the last of the good ol puffer trains,
Im the last of the soot and scum[? ] brigade,
And all this peaceful living is drivin me insane.
Im the last of the good old fashioned steam-powered trains.
Im the last of the good old fashioned steam-powered trains.
song performed by by Kinks

Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Jenny Dreamed Of Trains
When jenny was a little girl she only dreamed of trains
She never played with dolls or lacy kinds of things
Jenny counted boxcars instead of countin sheep
She could go anywhere when she went to sleep
All she ever talked about was gettin on to ride
She was livin in another time you could see it in her eyes
Everyday after school shed head down to the tracks
Waitin for the train that was never comin back
Chorus:
Jenny dreamed of trains
When the nighttime came
Nobody knew how she made it come true
Jenny dreamed of trains
The depots been boarded up, the rails have turned to rush
There hasnt been a train through here since the mill went bust
No one believed her when she said she heard the train
Said she was just a little girl actin kinda strange
Jenny laid a penny on the track one day
In God we trust she walked away
The very next mornin all that she could find
Was a little piece of copper squashed flatter than a dime
Nobody knew how she made it come true
Jenny dreamed of trains
song performed by by Vince Gill

Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Jesse Dreamed Of Trains
This song was first released on the all aboard! album. it is the only album it has been released on.
When jesse was a little girl, she only dreamed of trains
She never played with dolls or lacy kinds of things
Jesse counted boxcars instead of counting sheep
She could go anywhere when she went to sleep
Jesse laid a penny on the track one day
In god we trust she walked away
The very next morning all she could find
Was a little piece of copper squashed flatter than a dime
Jesse dreamed of trains
When the nighttime came
Nobody knew how she made it come true
Jesse dreamed of trains
Words and music by vince gill and guy clark
(additional words for jesse by john denver)
song performed by by John Denver

Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Jesse Dreamed Of Trains (For Jesse Belle)
This song was first released on the all aboard! album. it is the only album it has been released on.
When jesse was a little girl, she only dreamed of trains
She never played with dolls or lacy kinds of things
Jesse counted boxcars instead of counting sheep
She could go anywhere when she went to sleep
Jesse laid a penny on the track one day
In God we trust she walked away
The very next morning all she could find
Was a little piece of copper squashed flatter than a dime
Jesse dreamed of trains
When the nighttime came
Nobody knew how she made it come true
Jesse dreamed of trains
Words and music by vince gill and guy clark
(additional words for jesse by john denver)
song performed by by John Denver

Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Runaway Trains
Shes up there all alone
Im down here changing lanes
Her room was dark and cold
Im listening to the waves
And Im depending on time , babe
To get you out of my mind
I guess its one of those things
You can never explain
Like when an angel cries
Like runaway trains
Like one of those times
Thats never the same
Like when something dies
Like runaway trains
She says I understand
Im used to being alone
And holding my own hand
Im stronger than you know
I guess its one of those things
You can never explain
Like when an angel cries
Like runa way trains
Like one of those times
Thats never the same
Like when something dies
Like runaway trains
Dont blame me
I guess its one of those things
You can never explain
Like when an angel cries
Like ru naway trains
Like one of those times
Thats never the same
Like when something dies
Like runaway trains
song performed by by Tom Petty

Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Trains Of No Return
YEH, YEH, we need the rain,
YEH, YEH, to wash the trains,
Endless nights,
Tortured days,
Trains of no return.
LO'EL ANI AKRO ANENI
AVKA BACHOL LAILO ANENI
TEN TAL UMOTOR ANENI
HO, ANENI
Don't let them grow again,
Oh, no, not again!
Don't let them roll again,
The trains of no return!
YEH, YEH, we need the rain,
YEH, YEH, to wash the trains,
Endless nights,
Tortured days,
Trains of no return.
LO'EL ANI AKRO ANENI, ANENI, ANENI
SHAM ZA'AKU KOLOT ANENU
BA'ARU OROT ANENU
HU LO YESHAKER
KOL HA'OR, KOL HACHOSHE
SHE YOFER MIKOL RA'U EICH
DIN HA'ELOHIM MOLECH
HEM GAM ME VAKSHIM
YEH, YEH, we need the rain,
YEH, YEH, to wash the trains,
Endless nights,
Tortured days,
Trains of no return.
Don't let them grow again,
Oh, no, not again!
Don't let them roll again,
The trains of no return!
Don't let them grow again,
Oh, no, not again!
Don't let them roll again,
The trains of no return!
YEH, YEH, we need the rain...
song performed by by Ofra Haza

Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Discontent
Late at night
our trains pass through broad meadows.
We grip controls, heavy, uncertain, anxious
about schedules,
about stalled cars on tracks,
about small children darting through the night,
small children who dare steel wheels and blinding lights
who dare death at our trembling hands;
we guide our trains
probing the night
along the measured way,
discontent,
without incident.
poem by Steven Federle

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Havana Gang Brawl
Well the cops are at the door
And you know that they want more
They've got spears, made for arms
Tried to lure you with their charms
You can hear the guns outside
Watching riots with their eyes
As you move from wall to wall
Hear the siren from the gang brawl
Line the locals one by one
Filling bullets with their guns
Are you red, or if you're blue
Cause tonight their gonna find the truth
Take no prisoners today
For the future will be laid
One big city, one big town
Everyone with the same crown
Havana Gang Brawl
Havana Gang Brawl
Havana Gang Brawl
Oh where will you sleep tonight?
Oh where will you sleep tonight?
A doomed old day for engagements
They have torn up your arrangements
All the mothers, buying razors
For the future will be dangerous
You try desperately to leave
But all the trains are dry for steam
All the taxis on their sides
All the planes are burning bright
Havana Gang Brawl
Havana Gang Brawl
Havana Gang Brawl
Oh where will you sleep tonight?
Oh where will you sleep tonight?
Only one option left
To survive or you'll be dead
Do you hide now from the sin
Or do your blazing guns begin?
All the shops are up for sale
You might make it out on bail
All the fathers shine today
Making sure that son's ok
Havana Gang Brawl
Havana Gang Brawl
Havana Gang Brawl
Oh where will you sleep tonight?
Oh where will you sleep tonight?
Oh where will you sleep tonight?
Oh where will you sleep tonight?
song performed by by Zutons

Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Watching Me Watching You
I sit by the cutting on the beaconsfield line.
Hes watching me watching the trains go by.
And they move so fast --- boy, they really fly.
Hes still watching me watching you watching the
Trains go by.
And the way he stares --- feel like locking my door
And pulling my phone from the wall.
His eyes, like lights from a laser, burn
Making my hair stand --- making the goose-bumps crawl.
Hes watching me watching you watching him
Watching me
Im watching you watching him watching me
Watching stares.
At the cocktail party with a bucks fizz in my hand
I feel him watching me watching the girls go by.
And they move so smooth without even trying.
Hes still watching me watching you watching the
Trains go by.
And the crowd thins and he moves up close but he doesnt speak.
I have to look the other way.
But curiosity gets the better part of me and I peek:
Got two drinks in his hand --- see his lips move ---
What the hells he trying to say.
Hes watching me watching you watching him
Watching me.
Im watching you watching him watching me
Watching stares.
Hes watching me watching you watching him
Watching me.
Hes watching me watching you watching
The trains go by.
Hes watching me watching you watching him
Watching me.
Hes watching me watching you watching him watching me.
Hes watching me watching you watching him watching me watching him watching.
song performed by by Jethro Tull

Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Red Indian Man's Blues
When I was young, so long ago,
The white man swarmed the land.
His government at first was slow,
Yet oh what things it planned...
Then came the trains like speeding snakes
That slithered here and there,
Like iron veins and each one takes
My boiling blood elsewhere...
The armies came and stayed in forts,
Like spears forced in the ground
And telegrams send their reports
Without a single sound...
And schools were built for future schemes
White children would explore,
Enough to squash our future dreams
In times of peace and war...
And so it was, their streets were paved
Across the hills and plains,
Across the valleys, few were saved
Despite our aches and pains...
They forced us from our homes as well,
To leave our ghosts behind...
And then they added to our Hell
To change the Indian mind...
That's when our children went to school,
To learn the white man's ways,
To pass exams like that was cool
And something sweet to praise...
The white man took our women, too...
And loved them one-by-one...
And left us reeling, feeling blue
Beneath the white man's sun...
Denis Martindale, copyright, October 2011.
poem by Denis Martindale

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Passing Trains In Winter Rain
Adrift within a dismal night,
While trudging down deserted track,
Beyond the bend, a peering light,
Illumed alone through vacant black.
Such are the tricks that fate will feign,
With passing trains in winter rain.
The darkling sky, sighed, dripping dew,
Beguiling to the trek anew.
In diamond dusk the demons came,
There was no dread, there was no claim,
But distant thoughts will entertain
On passing trains in winter rain.
Through shadow's fog a form appeared,
Which slowed its pace as though it feared,
A lonesome, meek and wistful thing,
A fallen bird with broken wing.
Such are the shapes and weary strain
Of passing trains in winter rain.
We paused a moment, side by side,
And in each face a question lay.
The answer which our eyes replied
Was she and I had separate way,
We had our courses to maintain
Like passing trains in winter rain.
I often harken, reaching back,
To hear the formless twisted track
Muse "Few have loved though all have toyed
Inside this vast and vacant void -
The what and why? At heart, mundane! "
We're passing trains in winter rain...
poem by Terry O'Leary

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The Songs of the Lathes
The fans and the beltings they roar round me.
The power is shaking the floor round me
Till the lathes pick up their duty and the midnight-shift takes over.
It is good for me to be here!
Guns in Flanders--Flanders guns!
(I had a man that worked 'em once!)
Shells for guns in Flanders, Flanders!
Shells for guns in Flanders, Flanders!
Shells for guns in Flanders! Feeds the guns!
The cranes and the carriers they boom over me,
The bays and the galleries they loom over me,
With their quarter-mile of pillars growing little in the distance--
It is good for me to be here!
The Zeppelins and Gothas they raid over us.
Our lights give warning, and fade over us.
(Seven thousand women keeping quiet in the darkness!)
Oh, it's good for me to be here.
The roofs and the buildings they grow round me,
Eating up the fields I used to know round me;
And the shed that I began in is a sub-inspector's office--
So long have I been here!
I've seen six hundred mornings make our lamps grow dim,
Through the bit that isn't painted round our sky-light rim,
And the sunshine through the window slope according to the seasons,
Twice since I've been here.
The trains on the sidings they call to us
With the hundred thousand blanks that they haul to us;
And we send 'em what we've finished, and they take it where it's wanted,
For that is why we are here!
Man's hate passes as his love will pass.
God made Woman what she always was.
Them that bear the burden they will never grant forgiveness
So long as they are here!
Once I was a woman, but that's by with me.
All I loved and looked for, it must die with me;
But the Lord has left me over for a servant of the Judgment,
And I serve His Judgments here!
Guns in Flanders--Flanders guns!
(I had a son that worked 'em once!)
Shells for guns in Flanders, Flanders!
Shells for guns in Flanders, Flanders!
Shells for guns in Flanders! Feeds the guns!
poem by Rudyard Kipling

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Horses And Trains
I love them both…., but the Equine more….,
Power to spare…., so different, so rare….,
Only one can breed…, the other can rust….,
But together they leave us all in the dust.
We can train a horse….,
But we can’t horse a train….,
And a horse can’t hide you from the rain…,
Seems this all sounds so insane….,
Still my heart and soul remains….,
With Horses And Trains.....,
Horses And Trains.
poem by Trade Martin

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The Danger Of Writing Defiant Verse
And now I have another lad!
No longer need you tell
How all my nights are slow and sad
For loving you too well.
His ways are not your wicked ways,
He's not the like of you.
He treads his path of reckoned days,
A sober man, and true.
They'll never see him in the town,
Another on his knee.
He'd cut his laden orchards down,
If that would pleasure me.
He'd give his blood to paint my lips
If I should wish them red.
He prays to touch my finger-tips
Or stroke my prideful head.
He never weaves a glinting lie,
Or brags the hearts he'll keep.
I have forgotten how to sigh-
Remembered how to sleep.
He's none to kiss away my mind-
A slower way is his.
Oh, Lord! On reading this, I find
A silly lot he is.
poem by Dorothy Parker

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Trains
Trains take you to the empty spaces
Where orange fires raged the other day
And you could then collect the fire- dust
In the enclosed cup of your joined palms
And pour it in oblation into holy rivers
Which will take them to the green sea.
Trains bring people to river canals
Where death is a mere after-fact
Submerged in flowing green waters.
It is like what your life’s beginning was
When you were sleeping in your mother
Submerged in a sea of emerald aqua
With your eyes closed in green oblivion.
Trains take you through the sea of darkness
Holding you safely in their green wombs.
poem by Jagannath rao Adukuri

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Boomers Story
(traditional, adapted by ry cooder)
Come and gather all around me
Listen to my tale of woe
Got some good advice to give you
Lots of things you oughta know
Take a tip from one whos travelled
And never stopped a-ramblin round
cause once you get the roamin fever
You never want to settle down, boy
You never want to settle down
I met a little gal in frisco
And I asked her to be my wife
Told her I was tired of roamin
Goin to settle down for life
Then I heard the whistle blowin
And I knew it was the red ball train
And I left that gal beside the railroad
And I never saw the gal again, boy
I never saw the gal again
Saw the gal again
I never saw the gal again
Left that gal beside the railroad
And I never saw the gal again
Travelled all over the country
Ive travelled everywhere
I been on every branch line railroad
And I never paid a nickel fare
I been from maine to californy
And from canada to mexico
I never tried to save no money
And now I got no place to bo, boy
Now I got no place to go
Listen to a boomers story
Pay attention to what I say
Well, I hear another train a-comin
Guess Ill be on my way
If you wanna do me a favor
When I lay me down and die
Just dig my grave beside the railroad
So I can hear the trains go by, boys
So I can hear the trains go by
Hear the trains go
Hear the trains go by
Just dig my grave beside the railroad
So I can hear the trains go by
song performed by by Ry Cooder

Submitted by Lucian Velea
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