Story Behind The Song
I have always been moved by the wordy, introspective and deeply personal song form as illustrated so masterfully by tunesmiths such as Leonard Cohen, Dan Fogelberg, Paul Simon, Jim Croce et al. While watching the movie Crazy Heart, hearing Jeff Bridges do his burned-out-cowboy best with the song The Weary Kind I was inspired to pick up the old flat-top box and found myself entering a deeply personal headspace. I began posing difficult and uncomfortable questions to myself - began evaluating choices. Questions too large for the human mind. Who answers those questions? Gods? Devils?
Angels?
The original idea was a strict AAA style folk structure a-la Bob Dylan / Woody Guthrie but after playing it for my writing partner he suggested that it could be strengthened and modernized by adding a chorus. So picking up on the idea of the train called destiny mentioned at the verses' end, I wrote the hook line about redemption's train approaching.
The concept being that one's redemption, one's compensation for life's travails, will come with the passage of time. That despite short term struggles there is ultimately the possibility of hope.
Song Description
The existential question: A thoughtful man's look back at his life. Has he made the right choices? Has he failed to smell the roses right in front of him? Hopeful that as the "wheels of destiny" roll on redemption will have been found in a purposeful life.
| Song Length |
4:13 |
Genre |
Country - Americana, Pop - Easy Listening |
| Tempo |
Slow (71 - 90) |
Lead Vocal |
Male Vocal |
| Mood |
Poignant, Troubled |
Subject |
Existence, Spirituality |
| Similar Artists |
The Band, Jason Isbell, Sting, Paul Simon, Leonard Cohen |
Language |
English |
| Era |
2000 and later |
| |
Lyrics
What is won and what is lost?
Devils and angels measure the cost
What is heart and where is home?
We don't have to make it alone
I pity the aimless and empty and how they never really see
They're on the tracks of a train called destiny.
But I know that train is coming for me.
CH:I hear that train coming
Redemption train's not far at all
I hear that train coming
Redemption train I hear your whistle call
What is won and what is lost?
Sun will melt away this frost.
Where is the time did I waste mine?
A burnout at the edge of the line.
I was mired in apathy stumbling on my own debris.
I walk the tracks of a train called destiny
And I know that train is coming for me
CH:I hear that train coming
Redemption train's not far at all
I hear that train coming
Redemption train I hear your whistle call
BR: Whoa oh oh
What is won and what is lost?
Green were all the fields we'd crossed.
Had it all but didn't understand I let it sift away like sand.
My eyes were clouded by envy I was blind now I can see
The smokestack of that train called destiny.
I can see that train she's coming for me
CH:I hear that train coming
Redemption train's not far at all
I hear that train coming
Redemption train I hear your whistle call
Repeat to end w/ad libs
It's a long road this heavy load
And I am getting old
It's a long road this heavy load
We ought to know that we're getting older