About the song

“Waiting for a Train” by Jimmie Rodgers is a quintessential piece of early country music, a song that paints a vivid picture of the American experience during the late 1920s. Released in 1928, this track stands as a testament to Rodgers’s ability to blend various musical influences into a cohesive and compelling sound. It’s more than just a song; it’s a snapshot of a bygone era, a glimpse into the lives of those who lived and traveled during a time of great change.

The song’s lyrics, simple yet evocative, tell the story of a man waiting for a train, a common experience for many during this period. The imagery of trains, a symbol of both opportunity and displacement, resonates with the themes of travel, adventure, and the search for a better life. Rodgers’s conversational delivery, marked by its laid-back charm and yodeling flourishes, enhances the song’s authenticity and relatability.

Jimmie Rodgers’s vocal style, characterized by its distinctive yodeling and bluesy inflections, imbues the song with a sense of raw emotion and authenticity. He doesn’t just sing the lyrics; he embodies them, conveying the hopes and frustrations of the characters he portrays. This authenticity is a hallmark of his artistry, and it’s what makes his rendition of “Waiting for a Train” so compelling.

The song’s arrangement, typically sparse and uncluttered, allows Rodgers’s vocals and the lyrics to take center stage. The gentle rhythm and understated instrumentation create a sense of intimacy, inviting the listener to step into the world he creates.

“Waiting for a Train” is more than just a country song; it’s a historical document, a reflection of the American spirit during a time of transition. It’s a reminder of the power of music to tell stories, to evoke emotions, and to connect us to the shared human experience.

Video

Lyrics

All around the water tanks, waiting for a train
A thousand miles away from home, sleeping in the rain
I walked up to a brakeman, to give him a line of talk
He says “If you’ve got money, I’ll see that you don’t walk”
I haven’t got a nickel, not a penny can I show
“Get off, get off, you railroad bum”; he slammed the boxcar door
He put me off in Texas, a state I dearly love
The wide open spaces all around me, the moon and the stars up above
Nobody seems to want me, or lend me a helping hand
I’m on my way from Frisco, I’m going back to Dixieland
Though my pocketbook is empty and my heart is full of pain
I’m a thousand miles away from home, just waiting for a train