With a Memory Like Mine

I can see the train a-coming
Watch that big light shine this way
Hear that whistle softly blowing
Lord, it's been an awful day
I watched him leave that Friday morning
It was in the month of May
I told my son, I said, "Be a good soldier
But return again some day"

He did return just one year later
Lord, I'll not forget that day
The baggage car is where he traveled
In a casket where he lay

Trainman, keep your whistle blowing
Make it moan and make it whine
You make a man feel mighty lonesome
With a memory like mine

In a little country graveyard
On a dark and dreary day
They placed the flag upon the casket
And the casket in the grave
I couldn't stand it any longer
I knew not how to pray, I just cried
"Oh Lord, I hate to leave him
All alone beneath the clay"

Trainman, keep your whistle blowing
Make it moan and make it whine
You make a man feel mighty lonesome
With a memory like mine

I can see him as a baby
I can hear him call out my name
I can feel him under fire
And see him rising from the flame
Lord, if I could, I'd trade places
I would gladly give my all
I'd wrap that goddamn flag around me like a blanket
And listen for the clouds to fall

Trainman, keep your whistle blowing
Make it moan and make it whine
You make a man feel mighty lonesome
With a memory like mine

Trainman, keep your whistle blowing
Make it moan and make it whine
You make a man feel mighty lonesome
With a memory like mine