About The Song
Conway Twitty, a name that resonates with country music enthusiasts worldwide, left an indelible mark on the genre with his rich baritone voice and heartfelt storytelling. Among his vast repertoire, one song stands out as a timeless classic: “Long Black Train.” Released in 1973, this poignant ballad encapsulates the themes of love, loss, and the relentless passage of time, earning it a place among country music’s most cherished anthems.
Twitty’s masterful delivery breathes life into the narrative, painting vivid images of a man haunted by the memory of a lost love. The song opens with a haunting guitar riff, setting the stage for the emotional journey that unfolds. The lyrics, penned by S.K. McDaniel, weave a tale of a man standing by the railroad tracks, watching as a long black train speeds by.
As the train rumbles past, the protagonist is overwhelmed by a flood of memories, each one a poignant reminder of the love he once shared. The train becomes a metaphor for the relentless passage of time, carrying the man’s past and present into an uncertain future.
The song’s chorus is a powerful declaration of love and longing, as the narrator sings:
“And I know I’ll never see her again, But I’ll always hear that long black train Whistlin’ its way through my heart.”
Twitty’s voice swells with emotion as he delivers these lines, conveying the depths of the man’s grief and the enduring power of love. The song’s instrumental bridge provides a brief respite from the emotional intensity, with a gentle melody that offers a moment of reflection.
The song concludes with the train’s final whistle, signaling the end of the man’s reverie. He is left alone with his memories, but the power of love remains undiminished. “Long Black Train” is a testament to the enduring power of country music to capture the complexities of human emotion. Twitty’s masterful performance and the song’s evocative lyrics have cemented its place as a timeless classic, continuing to resonate with listeners generations after its release.
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Lyric
Look a-yonder coming, coming down that railroad trackI said, Look a-yonder comingComing down that long railroad trackWell, it’s that long black trainGonna bring my baby backWell, she loved me in the winterLord, I almost froze to deathBut she didn’t even warm meShe’s a fact of frozen lipsMy baby, hit the road a-runningLooking for that long black train(That long black train)Lord, and I began to wonderWill I see that girl again?(If I see my girl again)Well, I don’t know why she left meBut I do know that she’s goneBut look a-yonder coming LordMy baby’s coming homeI said, now look a-yonder comingComing down that long railroad track(That long railroad track)Well, it’s that long black trainGonna bring my baby back(Gonna bring my baby back)Well, ain’t asking her no questions‘Cause I don’t care where she’s beenAnd when I get that woman backShe’ll never leave againI said, now look a-yonder comingComing down that long railroad track(That long railroad track)Well, it’s that long black trainGonna bring my baby back(Gonna bring my baby back)Well, I can see her black smoke rollingI can hear her whistle whineShe’s just around the curveShe’s moving fast that line on downI said, now look a-yonder comingComing down that long railroad track(That long railroad track)Yes, it’s that long black trainGonna bring my baby back(Gonna bring my baby back)