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The Midnight Train

By:Alton Delmore · Source Recording: Jim & Jesse (1980)

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Well I've been all around my old home town
I have searched everywhere I know
But I can't find the trace of my girl in this place
So there's nothing to do but go

I'll be riding that midnight train when I'm leaving
And I'm goin' away to stay
Always wanted to know where this engine did go
Gonna go where it goes today

Oh she said she'd be true 'til the fightin' was through
That she'd wait for me 'til the end
But she's proven untrue and our sweet love is through
So I'm catching that train again

Well I seen that old train pullin' out in the rain
Seen it leave with the stars up above
Like a hound on the trail it carries the mail
It will take me away from that love

Key A Time 4/4

Verse and Chorus

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By:Alton Delmore · Source Recording:Jim & Jesse (1980)

Song Details

Also Known As

Midnight Train

Songwriter

Alton Delmore

First Release

The Delmore Brothers (1946)

Genres

Traditional Bluegrass

Themes

Lost Love Trains

Jam Popularity

History

“The Midnight Train” is a song associated with the Delmore Brothers, the Alabama duo whose close harmony and guitar work helped shape country and early bluegrass. They recorded it in the 1940s.

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Source Recording

Artist

Jim & Jesse

Album

The Jim and Jesse Story cover

The Jim and Jesse Story (1980)

Key A Time Boom-Chuck Tempo 158 BPM Length 2:03

Musicians

Jesse McReynolds — Lead Vocals, Mandolin
Jim McReynolds — Backup Vocals, Guitar
Carl Jackson — Banjo
Keith McReynolds — Bass

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The Delmore Brothers