This song was written by bluegrass and Delta blues musician "Shorty" Medlocke - the grandfather of this band's frontman Rickey Medlocke. The song is best remembered for its harmonica intro, performed by Shorty, which mimics the sound of a steam locomotive blowing its whistle, pulling out of the station and accelerating to full speed.

The song is about a man whose lover is leaving town on a "Midnight train to Memphis," and who decides to follow her there. He may even be intent on taking the same train, but the lyrics aren't clear about this.

Lyrics

Oh, here it comes

Well, train, train, take me on out of this town

Train, train, Lord, take me on out of this town

Well, that woman I'm in love with, Lord, she's Memphis bound

Well, leavin' here, I'm just a raggedy hobo

Lord, I'm leaving here, I'm just a raggedy hobo

Well, that woman I'm in love with, Lord, she's got to go

Well, goodbye pretty mama, get yourself a money man

Goodbye, pretty mama, Lord, get yourself a money man

You take that midnight train to Memphis

Lord, leave me if you can

Oh, take that midnight train to Memphis

Lord, leave me if you can

Oh, take that train, baby

Songwriters: Shorty Medlocke

Train Train lyrics © The Bicycle Music Company