Little Black Train

By:Traditional · Source Recording: IIIrd Tyme Out (1994)Song details

100%

There's a little black train a-comin' you better get your business right
A little black train a-comin it may be here tonight

You better tell your ballroom lady all dressed in worldly pride
There's a little black train a-comin' it may be here tonight

Well God spoke to Hezekiah with a message from on high
Get your house in order or you will surely die

Well Hezekiah turned to the wall and wept with bitter tears
God sent the prophet down and added fifteen years

Can't you see that big black engine with one small baggage car
Your idle thoughts and your wicked deeds will stop at the judgment bar

Tempo BPM

Key B

Chorus and Verse

100%

Song Details

Also Known As

Little Black Train is Coming, The Little Black Train

Songwriter

Traditional

First Release

Rev. J. M. Gates (1926)

Genres

Gospel Contemporary Bluegrass

Themes

Faith/Praise Death and Mourning Trains

Jam Popularity

History

“Little Black Train” is a gospel song that casts death as a train: a little black train is coming and, the refrain says, it may be here tonight. The verses tell a woman in worldly pride to get her business right, and retell the biblical story of Hezekiah, who was told by a prophet to put his house in order, wept, and was given fifteen more years. The last verse describes a big black engine pulling one small baggage car, which carries a passenger’s idle thoughts and wicked deeds to the judgment bar.