The Train Carrying Jimmie Rodgers Home (from "Going Driftless: An Artist's Tribute to Greg Brown" compilation)

Come along my dear, the time's growing 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-moving slow
Sounds like he's crying for the singing 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
Watching the train carrying Jimmie Rodgers home

I can hear that whistle blow, that old train's a-moving slow
Sounds like he's crying for the singing 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