GONE DEAD TRAIN

great article here about one of my favourite 'gumbo' mystical songs from Randy Newman and Ry Cooder written by Jack Nitsche and Russ Titleman for 'Performance' the Mick Jagger film, which has a fine fine soundtrack worth buying on its own merits

Zero to 180 - Gone Dead Train

It's a gone dead train
Yes, it's a gone dead train

My engine was pumpin' steam
And I was grindin' at you hard and fast
Burnin' down the rails, tryin' to heat the way
Haulin' ass and ridin' up the track
And I laughed at the conductor who was tellin' me my coal
It would never last

But then the fire in my boiler
Up and quit before I came
Ain't no empty cellar
Like a gone dead train

Once was at a time when I could
Mama shave 'em dry
And raise a fever ice-down chill
Waitin' at the station
With a heavy loaded sack
Savin' up and holdin' just to spill
Shootin' my supply through my demon's eye
Instead of holdin' my time, I hope I will

But then the fire in my boiler
Up and quit before I came
There ain't no empty cellar
Needs a gone dead train

Yes it's a gone dead train
I'm gonna teach it to learn now, now
It's a gone dead train
Yes it's a gone dead train
I'm gonna teach it to learn now, now
It's a gone dead train
Gonna teach it, gonna teach it to learn

There ain't no easy day
When your daily run's a downhill pull
And there ain't no easy way
Wishin' for some jelly roll
There ain't no switch been made
To make your juicy lemon find
A spring to run a dry well full

But then the fire in my boiler
Up and quit before I came
Ain't no empty cellar
Needs a gone dead train

Yes it's a gone dead train
I'm gonna teach it to learn
You know it's a gone dead train
Gonna teach it, gonna teach it to burn
It's a gone dead train
It's a gone dead train, you gotta learn
It's a gone dead train
Gonna teach it, gonna teach it, gonna teach it to burn.

Songwriters: Jack Nitzsche / Russ Titelman

What CAN it be about? . . . . . . .