“When the Train Comes Along”

Description

"I may be blind and cannot see, But I'll meet you at the station when the train comes along. "When the train comes along (x2), I'll meet you at the station when the train comes along." The singer looks forward to meeting Jesus and a happy life

Supplemental text

When the Train Comes Along
  Complete text(s)

          *** A ***

From John W. Work, American Negro Songs and Spirituals (1940), p. 94.
Source not listed.

[Chorus]
When the train comes along, when the train comes along,
I'll meet you at the station when the train comes along.
When the train comes along, when the train comes along,
I'll meet you at the station when the train comes along.

Leader
1. I may be blind an' cannot see,
   But I'll meet you at the station when the train comes along.

2. I my be lame an' cannot walk,
   But I'll meet you at the station when the train comes along.

Notes

Cohen notes that Dave Macon significantly modified this song from the usual version recorded several times in the 1920s and 1930s. In this case, though, Macon actually made the song more full and coherent. Which perhaps tells you how short most of the other known versions are. - RBW

Recordings

• Uncle Dave Macon, "When the Train Comes Along" (Champion 16805/Champion 45105/Decca 5373/Decca 34317, 1934)

References

1. Cohen-LSRail, pp. 633-635, "When the Train Comes Along" (2 texts, 1 tune)
2. ST LSRai633 (Full)
3. Roud #11525
4. BI, LSRai633