FAWM: "The Train Doesn't Come Here Anymore"

The Train Doesn't Come Here Anymore

1 week ago by @paul_pedersen

The Train Doesn't Come Here Anymore

paul_pedersen

00:00

Liner Notes

This song is the combination of memory and invention.

My city used to have two significant railway stations. The one, a block from Main Street, was for the Canadian Pacific Railway. It's now our city's museum. Several blocks east of the CPR station was the one for the Canadian National Railway, the CNR. I remember being 3 or 4 years old and waiting impatiently for my mother to finish her shift at the CNR lunch counter. This many years later, the CNR station is now an office building.

And, yes, for many years, we had a locomotive on display on the edge of Lee Park. It's since been moved to a less auspicious location.

Beyond the memory of things gone by, the song is the first one I've ever written in Bb. Play along if you dare!

Lyrics

The train doesn't come here anymore The station, just a block off Main, has locks on it's door The waiting room lunch counter is covered in dust And the tracks out front surrendered to rust

There are memories of friends who'd come and go on those tracks The line has been deserted, it's never coming back The world has gone to cars and trucks, abandoned coal and steam The notion of the shining rail has vanished like a dream

In my youth, those trains would come and go With folks on board going where, I don't know They smiled and waved at me as I stood near the track Not knowing when and if they'd come back

There's a lonely engine standing in the park A memory of times gone by No travellers anymore No coal on the tender's floor And no one waiting to embark

The train doesn't come here anymore The station, just a block off Main, has locks on it's door The waiting room lunch counter is covered in dust And the tracks out front surrendered to rust

Comments

@greengrassgirl 1w

Love this one, Paul! I chose it at random, and I’m glad I did. You’ve been so musically prolific since last FAWM, and now here you are with almost an album already. Very impressive!

@paul_pedersen 1w

However you found your way to the song, I'm glad that you dropped by for a listen. This song will be on the streaming services on February 20th.

@atornberg 1w

I love a good train song! I lived in T.O. 8 years, so I appreciate imagining the cars with the noticeable CN logo. If we could only get high speed rail more entrenched in North America, maybe trains could return!

@paul_pedersen 1w

Thanks for riding along in the caboose with me. Glad you could relate. As luck would have it, they're now in the planning stage for high speed rail between Toronto and Montreal. It'll be a while before it materializes, but it's a start.

@atornberg 1w

That's great! It will be cool to see!

@jerrypettit 1w

I miss trains. I'll never understand why we more or less stopped using them--whereas pretty much everywhere else they remain a MAJOR part of transportation and supply. Lovely, lovely song Paul! ❤️

@paul_pedersen 1w

Thanks Jerry. In Canada, most passenger service ended because it wasn't making money and freight was. Of course, when the trains didn't run with frequency, their timetables often didn't work for people's needs. It's so much better in Europe where there are lots of trains and lots of time choices.

@janeg 1w

True for so many communities! Wonderfully evocative and the key really works.

@paul_pedersen 1w

Thanks very much Jane. At least Toronto still has VIA Rail and Go trains. A number of years ago, the Ontario government killed the Ontario Northlander. Now, after who knows how many years of promises, it's about to come back. Maybe a new train song would be appropriate when it finally gets here.

@musicsongwriter 1w

Beautiful nostalgic song, singing, playing and arrangement. Very visual and it shows the true feelings and emotions.

@paul_pedersen 1w

Thanks Nadia. I had a couple of the lines written down as a potential song, so FAWM was the perfect time to get it done.

@james10 1w

Paul, You did a great job, both lyrically and musically, with this one my friend! Captures the nostalgia a lot of us feel for the rails of old and those who's lives were intertwined with them 🙂

@paul_pedersen 1w

Thanks so much for listening and sending positive comments my way. Much appreciated!

@metalfoot 1w

Playing in Bb sounds like capo time to me! 😀

A few years ago some of us (@ductapeguy was the lyricist, I believe) did a 4-track cassette song with a similar lyrical theme-- but I think that particular small town was in Alberta. The history of Canada's former rail lines and glories are formative for so many little towns across this fine land.

I love the melody and this lyric is so evocative. I don't know that I've seen this but yet I can visualize it!

@paul_pedersen 1w

Capo? Nah! I own one but I've never used it and I can't remember where it is. But if Bb bothers you, I once wrote a song in Ab using Ab, Db, Eb, plus the minor chords and an out-of-key chord for spice.

Thanks for listening and letting me know that you can relate to it.

@gwynjones 1w

Lovely reflection on a past long gone...beautifully written and sung!

@paul_pedersen 1w

Thanks, Gwyn. Of course, the difference in your part of the world is that the trains are comfortable, reliable and frequent. Here, the railway companies decided freight was more profitable than people and most of the stations closed down.

@katestantonsings 1w

Incredibly nostalgic! The lyric combined with your guitar arrangement made me feel like I was waiting for this train...to never come. Beautiful write.

@paul_pedersen 1w

Ah, what a sweet comment! Thanks so much, Kate.

@dougdude52 1w

Hello, Paul. Great story and production. Thanks for sharing.

@paul_pedersen 1w

Thanks Doug. It was good to Zoom chat with you this morning.

@jim_b 1w

Lovely nostalgic tune that reminds me of Pete Seeger, not just your voice but the folk changes as well. Did you really crank out 3 songs in a day? Holy crap, I'm new around here and I'll be happy if I submit three this whole month!!

@paul_pedersen 1w

I'm happy to be compared to Pete Seeger. That's a tall compliment, Jim.

As for three songs, one of them was a skirmish, so quickly done. ANother I had received the lyrics in advance so I was able to get my thoughts organized. And the train song started with an idea I had in my file of song starters. Once I rescued it, the rest happened fairly quickly, thankfully.

I'm aiming for 14 or so songs in FAWM. Since I'm slow at lyrics, I always try to find ammunition from some of the good lyricists we have. Without them, my totals would be lower for sure.

@markblevis 1w

Well, this must be a magnetic idea for us Canadians. A few weeks ago I started scribbling down ideas for a song about a quiet train station where trains visited, people passed through, people greeted and saw their loved ones off. I hope to pull that song together for FAWM2026. Your song captures and conveys such imagery. What a great piece!!!

@paul_pedersen 1w

Well, Gordon Lightfoot did not too badly with his Canadian Railroad Trilogy. I guess trains are a big part of the history and experience of Canada even if they're not as active for passengers anymore.

I remember as a kid having a summer Globe & Mail route to cottages around Lake Bernard in Sundridge. Early each morning, I'd get my bundle of papers that had been dropped off at the station from a northbound train.

So much for memories. I'm glad you enjoyed it Mark. I think you should still do your train song. We've all had different experiences, so yours will be unique. Thanks for listening and chatting electronically with me.

@markblevis 1w

I did it... https://fawm.org/songs/320091