From the recording Rootless Seed
Lyrics
Night Train
M. Litton
Down and out one moonlit night, a-runnin’ from a gun
I crossed the county on a chance I’d catch the night-train run
I swam the muddy river, waded the slew
Up beyond the willows where the water hemlock grew
That ol’ Night Train thundered from the sky
That ol’ Night Train wore the moon’s disguise
The engineer was named Mr. Nibbs
And as his devil whistle wailed
He said, “You can ride if you sign your soul to hell...”
He carried the evil freight of our dreadful times
Many a soul I’d known
I saw my father manning the tender car
And as he fed the fire with bones
He said, “Son, don’t ride, you must heed these words I moan...”
That ol’ Night Train, hear it’s engine roar
That ol’ Night Train, callin’ all aboard
Those who ride this train are cursed forever
And will burn!
I heard the bloodhounds on my trail, terror filled my soul
The question flashed into my mind to answer yes or no
“Git behind me, Satan!” – I fell to my knees
Prayed to God in Heaven, “ Have mercy on me...”
That ol’ Night Train rides the rail of sin
That ol’ Night Train, it’s journey never ends
Mr. Nibbs, he just laughed and said
“Well if you ever change your mind
“Just remember, boy, I make this run each night...”
That ol’ Night Train, hear it’s engine roar
That ol’ Night Train, callin’ all abroad
Those who ride this train are cursed forever
And will burn!