Old Engine Driver
For five and twenty years I've run
A famous train;
But now my spell of speed is done,
No more I'll strain
My sight along the treadless tracks,
The gleamy rails:
My hand upon the throttle slacks,
My vision fails.
No more I'll urge my steed of steel
Through hostile nights;
No more the mastery I'll feel
Of monster might.
I'll miss the hiss of giant steam,
The clank, the roar;
The agony of brakes that scream
I'll hear no more.
Oh I have held within my hand
A million lives;
And now my son takes command
And proudly drives;
While from my cottage wistfully
I watch his train,
And wave and wave and seem to see
Myself again.
poem by Robert William Service
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Related quotes
Wave Your Flag & Stop The Train
Wave your flag and stop the train
Stop the train
Stop the train
Wave your flag and stop the train
Stop the train
Stop the train
Someone just pull the little chain
Girl in my compartment lost her mind
Stop the train
Stop the train
Tried to throw herself upon the line
I cant see you leaving her behind
She doesnt quite remember who I am
Stop the train stop the train
Committing suicide was more her plan
When she was attached to another man
Wave your flag and stop the train
Stop the train
Stop the train
Someone just pull the little chain
Tried to tell the signal man in time
She still trying to jump out on the line
I cant see you leaving her behind
I cant figure out whats with her mind
I cant figure that shes out of time (? )
I see her reflection on the line
Stop the train
Stop the train
Gates and railroad stations passing me by
I cant see you leaving her behind
Wave your flag and stop the train
Stop the train
Stop the train
Wave your flag and stop the train
Stop the train
Stop the train
Someone just pull the little chain
Please wave your flag and stop the train
Youve gotta wave your flag and stop the train
song performed by by Electric Light Orchestra
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Welsh Highland Railway
A belch of smoke and steam,
and a whistle wail
we move with a clickty-clack along the rails.
Then with the train then gathering speed,
our journey begins with more whistle wails.
The carriage throws us around this way and that
as the old steam train rolls down the track.
Visions of happy days gone by,
with billowing smoke and steam.
Fragrancing the air on our ride
of nostalgic days and old ways.
As we ride the rails on a train
of the Welsh Highland Railway.
poem by David Harris
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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100,000 Tons Of Steel
I know these rails were on like I know my ladys smile,
We see a dozen dreams in every passing mile.
Cant begin to count the trips she and I have made,
But I wish I had a dollar for each time weve both been down this grade.
And 100,000 tons of steel, made to roll.
The brakes dont work and this grades too steep, her engines sure to blow.
And 100,000 tons of steel, out of control,
Shes more a rollercoaster than the train I used to know.
Its one hell of an understatement, to say she cant be beat.
Shes tempermental, more a bitch than a machine.
She wasnt built to travel at speed or through mud slides.
These wheels are bound to jump the tracks before they burn like the ties
And 100,000 tons of steel, made to roll.
The brakes dont work and this grades too steep, her engines sure to blow
And 100,000 tons of steel, out of control
Shes more a rollercoaster than the train I used to know.
Murphy sure out done himself to pick this stretch of track
I can only hope my luck is ridin in the back.
Well I have pray to God this aint the day we meet,
Ive done about everything, but try dragging my feet.
And 100,000 tons of steel, made to roll.
The brakes dont work and this grades too steep, her engines sure to blow
And 100,000 tons of steel, out of control,
Shes more a rollercoaster than the train I used to know.
Oh, oh I want to go down slow.
song performed by by Grateful Dead
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Tons Of Steel
I know these rails were on like I know my ladys smile,
We see a dozen dreams in every passing mile.
Cant begin to count the trips she and I have made,
But I wish I had a dollar for each time weve both been down this grade.
And 100,000 tons of steel, made to roll.
The brakes dont work and this grades too steep, her engines sure to blow.
And 100,000 tons of steel, out of control,
Shes more a rollercoaster than the train I used to know.
Its one hell of an understatement, to say she cant be beat.
Shes temperamental, more a bitch than a machine.
She wasnt built to travel at speed or through mud slides.
These wheels are bound to jump the tracks before they burn like the ties
And 100,000 tons of steel, made to roll.
The brakes dont work and this grades too steep, her engines sure to blow
And 100,000 tons of steel, out of control
Shes more a rollercoaster than the train I used to know.
Murphy sure out done himself to pick this stretch of track
I can only hope my luck is ridin in the back.
Well I have pray to God this aint the day we meet,
Ive done about everything, but try dragging my feet.
And 100,000 tons of steel, made to roll.
The brakes dont work and this grades too steep, her engines sure to blow
And 100,000 tons of steel, out of control,
Shes more a rollercoaster than the train I used to know.
Oh, oh I want to go down slow.
song performed by by Grateful Dead
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Train
Writers: leo sayer & david courtney
Running through my life
Like a river, like a song
Train keeps pushing me
Right back to the place where I belong...
Back along the tracks
Fly a million years
Right across my path
Train moves on ringing in my ears...
Come on board
Come on board
Train, oh train, take me back, again
I remember, I remember, take me back
Train, oh train, the journey ends and starts again
I remember, I remember, I remember
Ive been up all night trying to get this down
Now Im hallucinating
Staring at the wall look what Im creating...
Look at the clock Im twelve hours old
So many more remain
Way up ahead I know I see a train...
Come on board
Come on board
Train, oh train, all those memories, all over again
I remember, I remember, take me back
Train, oh train, the journey ends and starts again
I remember, I remember, I remember
Waited on the station all day
Just to see a glimpse of the morning train
Just to see the wheels turning round
Blowing up steam,
See what I mean,
You see what I mean...
song performed by by Leo Sayer
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Train Running Low On Soul Coal
Me train running low on soul coal
They push+pull tactics are driving me loco
They shouldnt do that no no no
They shouldnt do that
Me train running low on dream steam
They pull me whistle too hard me bound to scream
And they shouldnt do that no no no
They shouldnt do that
Think Im going south for the winter
Think Im going mad in this hinterland
Between young and old
Im a thirty year old puppy doing what Im told
And Im told theres no more coal
For the older engines
Me train running low on soul coal
Think Im going south for the winter
Think Im going west and my sprinters speed
Is reduced to a crawl
My rails went straight, but straight into the wall
Its the wall on which they dash the older engines
And all my servants are leaving
Imagination gone packing
Cant find the wound from where Im bleeding
Hes just a nut and hes cracking
Hammer goes down
Brakes all scream
Me and a couple of empty carriages
Slide down hill still
Next stop bad dreamsville
Think Im going south for the winter
Me train running low on soul coal.
song performed by by Xtc
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Train Running Low On Soul Coal
Me train running low on soul coal
They push+pull tactics are driving me loco
They shouldnt do that no no no
They shouldnt do that
Me train running low on dream steam
They pull me whistle too hard me bound to scream
And they shouldnt do that no no no
They shouldnt do that
Think Im going south for the winter
Think Im going mad in this hinterland
Between young and old
Im a thirty year old puppy doing what Im told
And Im told theres no more coal
For the older engines
Me train running low on soul coal
Think Im going south for the winter
Think Im going west and my sprinters speed
Is reduced to a crawl
My rails went straight, but straight into the wall
Its the wall on which they dash the older engines
And all my servants are leaving
Imagination gone packing
Cant find the wound from where Im bleeding
Hes just a nut and hes cracking
Hammer goes down
Brakes all scream
Me and a couple of empty carriages
Slide down hill still
Next stop bad dreamsville
Think Im going south for the winter
Me train running low on soul coal.
song performed by by Xtc
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Steam Dreams
In this day of electric and diesel, very rarely is seen,
A shining locomotive, which is powered by steam.
Back in the days, when my parents were born,
The sight of a steam train was quite the norm.
Whenever a steam train catches my eye,
I stand, watching in awe, as it passes by.
‘Oh wow! Look! ’ I say, as I point a finger,
And the memory of it in my mind will linger.
Steam trains will never completely die out,
As, thankfully, there’s still quite a few about.
About a steam train, there’s something really quite dramatic.
And at the chance of riding on one, people are often ecstatic.
I remember seeing The Flying Scotsman at Salisbury station,
And I stood there marvelling at it with such great admiration.
The engine and all of its carriages just looked so smart.
The sight of such a train, never fails to quicken the heart.
Steam trains are so very elegant in their style.
To spot one, enthusiasts will travel many a mile.
It strange to think that years ago, they were all the rage,
When, they are such a very rare sight, in this day and age.
The sight of the world famous Orient Express,
Is one which will never ever fail to impress.
Through the windows, you can see the plush seats,
Where excited passengers will sit down and eat.
On board, the historic carriages of brown and cream,
They serve expensive champagne and gourmet cuisine.
Sat in a world of pure indulgence, passengers glide,
Through the green and pleasant British countryside.
The carriages have all been restored to their former glory;
If they could talk, I’m sure they could all share quite a story.
The carriages have been described as ‘palaces on wheels’,
And I would really love to know just how that feels.
Still being a very rare sight in these modern times,
I fancy taking a trip on a steam train, to sit and dine.
I guess you would have to pay quite a princely sum,
But I think it would be worth it, just to travel on one.
poem by Angela Wybrow
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Fast Train
Transcribed from a live performance on february 26, 2000 at the barbican in york, england. the first performance of this new song.
When you been on a fast train
And its goin off the rails
And you cant come back together again
You just start breakin down
In the pourin rain
Cause you been on a fast train
When your love has gone away
Dont it make you feel so sad
And you know Im returnin
Way into the land
And you start breakin down
And go into the pain
Cause you been on the fast train
You had to go on the lam
Cross into no mans land
Aint nobody here on your wavelength
And nobody gonna give you a helpin hand
You just start breakin down
And just go into the sun
When you hear that fast train
And you keep movin along
To the sound of the wheels
Deep inside your heart you really know
You know just how it feels
And you start breakin down
And the deserts reign on the fast train
Youre way over the line
This time youre out of your mind
This time youre out of your depth
And to the window you crack open
Oh but theres nowhere to go
Theres only sleet and theres snow
Keep on movin on a fast train
You hear theyre goin over the line
Oh standin on the edge of the hill
Oh nobody on their wavelength
Nobody to give you a helping hand
And you start breakin down
When you hear the sound
Keep on movin on a fast train
Im goin nowhere on a fast train
Goin nowhere
Goin nowhere on a fast train
Goin nowhere on a fast train
Fast train
Going nowhere
Goin nowhere on a fast train
To the wasteland
To the wasteland
On a fast train
On a fast train
On a fast train
Im goin nowhere
Im goin nowhere on a fast train
Goin nowhere
On a fast train
song performed by by Van Morrison
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Railroad Song
Written by - Jim Croce & Ingrid Croce
When I was a boy in the days of the train
I'd sit by the tracks on a long summer day
And I'd wave at the brakesman
And he'd wave back at me
While the thunderclouds rolled
Out of East Tennessee
But the dreams of a boy disappear when you're grown
And though I may dream, the railroads are gone
The ties they are rotten
And the tracks shot to hell
Along with my dreams and the old railroad bell
In my dreams I ride the rails to California
Workin' diners and farms along the way
Or I'd hop a ride to hide across the border
With a black eyed girl beside me all the way
Now the mountains are silent
And the railroads are gone
And the coal towns no longer hear the miners at dawn
But the train whistle shrills out her memories to me
While the thunderclouds roll out of East Tennessee
In my dreams I ride the rails to California
Workin' diners and farms along the way
Or I'd hop a ride to hide across the border
With a black eyed girl beside me all the way
Now the mountains are silent
And the railroads are gone
And the coal towns no longer hear the miners at dawn
But the train whistle shrills out her memories to me
While the thunderclouds roll out of East Tennessee
song performed by by Jim Croce
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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In me
In me there is an angel
It guides me to the right paths
In me there is an angel
It drives me to the right hand
It takes me away from the dark nights
To the wonderful days filled with light
In me there is an angel
In me there is a monster
It takes over me in form of greed
In me there is a monster
It pulls me towards the feed
It takes me towards the wrong world
Where there is crime and fraud
In me there is a monster
It surpasses the angel
In me there is a monster
In me...........
poem by Tanay Pathak
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Song of a Train
A monster taught
To come to hand
Amain,
As swift as thought
Across the land
The train.
The song it sings
Has an iron sound;
Its iron wings
Like wheels go round.
Crash under bridges,
Flash over ridges,
And vault the downs;
The road is straight --
Nor stile, nor gate;
For milestones -- towns!
Voluminous, vanishing, white,
The steam plume trails;
Parallel streaks of light,
THe polished rails.
Oh, who can follow?
The little swallow,
The trout of the sky:
But the sun
Is outrun,
And Time passed by.
O'er bosky dens,
By marsh and mead,
Forest and fens
Embodied speed
Is clanked and hurled;
O'er rivers and runnels;
And into the earth
And out again
In death and birth
That know no pain,
For the whole round world
Is a warren of railway tunnels.
Hark! hark! hark!
It screams and cleaves the dark;
And the subterranean night
Is gilt with smoky light.
Then out again apace
It runs its thundering race,
The monster taught
To come to hand
Amain,
That swift as thought
Speeds through the land
The train.
poem by John Davidson
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Downtown Train
(tom waits)
Outside another yellow moon
Has punched a hole in the night time mist
I climb through the window and down to the street
Im shining like a new dime
The downtown trains are full
Full of all them brooklyn girls
They try so hard to break out of their little worlds
You wave your hand and they scatter like crows
They have nothing thatll ever capture your heart
Theyre just thorns without the rose
Be careful of them in the dark
Oh if I was the one you chose to be your only one
Oh baby cant you hear me now, cant you hear me now
Will I see you tonight on a downtown train
Every night, every night its just the same
On a downtown train
I know your window and I know its late
I know your stairs and your doorway
I walk down your street and past your gate
I stand by the light of the four way
And watch them as they fall, oh baby
They all having their heart attacks
They stay at the carnival
But theyll never win you back
Will I see you tonight on a downtown train
Every night, every night its just the same
You leave me lonely
Will I see you tonight on a downtown train
All my dreams, all my dreams fall like rain
On a downtown train
Will I see you tonight on a downtown train
Every night, every night its just the same
Will I see you tonight on a downtown train
All my dreams, all my dreams fall like rain
On a downtown train
On a downtown train
All my dreams fall like rain
On a downtown train
song performed by by Rod Stewart
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Janice and You at Waterloo Station
At Waterloo Station
the steam engines
puffed powerful steam
reaching up
to the rooftop
and you stood there
hands in your pockets
your nose sniffing in
the white and grey smell
you can taste it
on your tongue
and Janice beside you
her eyes looked up
at the rooftop
as the steam
reached high
her hands clutching
the small bag
I want to be a train driver
when I'm older
you said
I want to smell
that smell
and breathe in
that steam and shovel
coal in the engine
maybe you will
Janice said
maybe you'll be
on a train like that
big and black
and powerful
she put her hand
under your arm
and squeezed
Gran said we can be
what we want
if we want it
bad enough
Janice added
you felt her hand
under your arm
sensed her squeeze it
we went to the seaside
on a big black train
like this last year
you said
and I put my head
out the train window
and my mum said
keep your head in
or a train
will knock it off
that'd be horrible
Janice said
she clutched
closer to you
as the steam train
puffed out more steam
and the sound was loud
and powerful
and she said
maybe
when you're an engine driver
you can take me
to the seaside
with Gran
yes
you said
and if you come
to the engine
before you take off
I can show you
the engine
and how powerful it is
and she smiled
and put her head
on your shoulder
yes
you said softly
when I grow up
and when I am older.
poem by Terry Collett
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Heart Of The Flower
Now at the station, the train to another land
Lands of never seen light, light hidden in infinite night
Night in its biggest might, might of the strongest power
And there the smoke of the train to the heart of the flower
I take the first train to the heart of the flower
I take the first train to the heart of the flower
And there the smoke of the train to the heart of the flower
And there the smoke of the train to the heart of the flower
The waiting room of kingdom come, I look back upon my life
Life of loss but now the end
End of rat race overdrive
Overdrive to foreign lands
Lands of contemptous hours
And there the smoke of the train to the heart of the flower
Now on the train
This is the end of my day
I feel my spirits escape like a musical clock thats dying away
I turn once again and wave my hand and say goodbye
I never thought its so easy
I never thought its so easy
I take the first train to the heart of the flower
I take the first train to the heart of the flower
And there the smoke of the train to the heart of the flower
And there the smoke of the train to the heart of the flower
The heart of the flower
The heart of the flower
The heart of the flower
Diamond/1990
song performed by by Alphaville
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Old Train
This song was first released on the all aboard! album. it is the only album it has been released on.
Old train, I can hear your whistle blow
And I want to be jumping on again
Old train, Ive been everywhere you go
And I know what lies beyond each bend
Old train, each time you pass
Youre older than the last
And it seems Im too old for running
I hear your rusty wheels grate against the rails
They cry with every mile
And I think Ill stay awhile
Old train, I grow weary at the miles
And I miss the freedom that was mine
Old train, just to think about those times
Ill smile when youre highballing by
Old train, each time you pass
Youre older than the last
And it seems Im too old for running
I hear your rusty wheels grate against the rails
They cry with every mile
And I think Ill stay awhile
Words and music by herb pedersen and mikki pedersen
song performed by by John Denver
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Jumping Someone Else's Train
Don't say what you mean
You might spoil your face
If you walk in the crowd
You won't leave any trace
It's always the same
You're jumping someone else's train
It won't take you long
To learn the new smile
You'll have to adapt
Or you'll be out of style
It's always the same
You're jumping someone else's train
If you pick up on it quick
You can say you were there
Again and again and again
You're jumping someone else's train
It's the latest wave
That you've been craving for
The old ideal
Was getting such a bore
Now you're back in line
Going not quite quite as far
But in half the time
Everyone's happy
They're finally all the same
'cause everyone's jumping
Everyone else's train
Jumping someone else's train
Jumping someone else's train
Jumping someone else's train
song performed by by Cure
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Big Train
John fogerty
When i was young, i spent my summer days
Playin' on the track.
The sound of the wheels rollin' on the steel
Took me out, took me back.
Big train from memphis,
Big train from memphis,
Now it's gone gone gone, gone gone gone.
Like no one before, he let out a roar,
And i just had to tag along.
Each night i went to bed with the sound in my head,
And the dream was a song.
Big train from memphis,
Big train from memphis,
Now it's gone gone gone, gone gone gone.
Well i've rode 'em in and back out again
You know what they say about trains;
But i'm tellin' you when that memphis train came through,
This ol' world was not the same.
Big train from memphis,
Big train from memphis,
Now it's gone gone gone, gone gone gone.
song performed by by Roy Orbison
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Train
Plastic brain scar
I want laser
I'm your chauffeur
With high gloss highs
Take you where you want
Can't stop, oh off the train
Train, yeah, yeah, yeah
Wolflady
Sucks my brain
Apricot
Sunrise came
L.A. nights
Just roll in
Can't stop, oh off the train
Train, yeah, yeah, yeah
Nasal douche
Poolside line
Softlit tan
What's your sign?
Hold my hand
Just roll in
Can't stop, oh off the train
Train, yeah, yeah, yeah
Can't stop, oh off the train
Train, yeah, yeah, yeah
Can't stop, oh off the train
Train, yeah, yeah, yeah
song performed by by Goldfrapp
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Gazing suicide
I went to the train tracks.
I sat on the bridge above.
My life has beaten me.
As I looked down below me.
I saw the tracks before my eyes.
So shiny and black.
My troubles.
My hurt.
And years of pain.
They had gotten the better of me.
It all became clear and I knew what I had to do.
I had to join the train tracks below me
I had to die
poem by Amy Louise Kerswell
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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