Lyrics Iris DeMent

Iris DeMent

The Train Carrying Jimmie Rodgers Home

Come along my dear, the time's growin' near,

We'll have to walk down where the field is overgrown

Consumption's claimed his life and we dare not miss the sight,

Of the train carrying Jimmie Rodgers home

We'd some hard times these last few years,

Lost the farm, almost lost our spirits, too

But it's the strangest thing, when we heard that man sing,

We knew somehow we'd make it through

I can hear that whistle blow, that old train's a-movin' slow,

Sounds like he's cryin' for the singin' brakeman, too

Back to the sunny south he'll go, and he'll never roam no more,

Here's the train, oh hold me close, oh sweetheart do

Come here my little son and let me lift you up

I want you to remember this day when you are grown

How your mama and your dad were so proud and so sad,

Watchin' the train carrying Jimmie Rodgers home

I can hear that whistle blow, that old train's a-movin' slow,

Sounds like he's cryin' for the singin' brakeman, too

Back to the sunny south he'll go, and he'll never roam no more,

Here's the train, oh hold me close, oh sweetheart do