Story Behind The Song

I wrote "The Kansas Wind," a song that kept mhy phone ringing whenever I would show it around Nashville. So, I decided that I needed another song of the same high quality to establish myself as a serious songwriter in the eyes of all my songwriting heroes. This song is about faith and trust and love.

Song Description

It used to be that a man's word was his bond and he would do what he said he would do. Daddy promised momma and the kids that he would come back and get them on The California Train. Momma never lost faith that daddy would do what he said he would do.

Lyrics

The California Train by Glenn Warren

Our land was cracked and dry...Blowin' across the prairie sky...
Oklahoma's Hell when it don't rain;
That engine sat there breathin' steam...
It scared me when that whistle screamed...
When daddy caught...The California Train.

Chorus: He told us.."I've got to go to California...
"Gotta make our livin' where I can;
"It's a long, long way to California...
"I'll come back and get you when I can...
"On..The California Train."

From down near 'Frisco...he started haulin' dynamite;
It was dangerous work...but the pay was awful good;
When a midnight telegram arrived...
Momma cried the message lied...
That daddy's comed back...like he said he would.

Bridge: But the rails grew rusty...
While my momma's hair grew gray...
One day, the trains quit runnin' to our town;
But momma's faith in daddy's love for her stayed strong...
Even when the railroad tore the depot down;

The night my momma died...was awful dark and cold;
She told me she could see a blinding light;
My little daughter woke up crying in her sleep...
She'd heard a whistle sreamin' through the night.

When she asked me, "Daddy, where did grandma go?"
Ordinary words could not explain;
So I just told her what I knew down in my heart...
Grandma caught...The California Train.

Copyright Iron County Music (ASCAP)

Contact: Glenn Warren (615) 824-5029 or kidsongs@bellsouth.net