Where the Train Don't Go

An adaptation of Tom Waits' "Down There by the Train."

"Down There by the Train" was written by Tom Waits', but was first recorded and released by Johnny Cash. The song, a beautiful folk-gospel hymn with powerful themes of forgiveness and redemption, has subsequently been covered by other artists. Waits released his own version in 2006.

Upon hearing Waits' version, I noticed a small but interesting difference: when singing about salvation, he uses the word "will" (e.g. "I know your name will be on that list"). Cash and other artists who have covered the song (Dustin Kensrue, most recently), use the word "can" (e.g. "I know you can be saved").

This tiny alteration carries a lot of weight. I decided to write an adapted version of the song, or perhaps a sequel to it, in which the theological implications of this more selective model of salvation have been fully realized:

There’s a place I know
where the train went slow,
where sinners were forgiven
by the blood of the Lamb.
But the river’s frozen over
down by Sinner’s Grove
and the dogwood flowers
have been choked by snow.

Down here by the train.
Down here by the train.
Down here by the train.
Down here by the train.
Down here where the train don't go.

Men and women, cold and naked
shiver in the mist.
They are all of God’s children
who weren’t on his list.
There are tears on the marsh grass
and dried blood on the trees
and the sobs of lost souls
echo softly through the reeds.

Down here by the train.
Down here by the train.
Down here by the train.
Down here by the train.
Down here where the train don't go.

They all heard the whistle.
They all heard the bell,
and they ran towards heaven
but were left in hell.
Those who didn't have a ticket
weren't allowed onboard.
Some got caught up in the thickets
and lost sight of the Lord.

Down here by the train.
Down here by the train.
Down here by the train.
Down here by the train.
Down here where the train don't go.

There was room for the forsaken
who were there on time.
But the ones that slipped or stumbled
were all left behind.

Now they're lost in the wasteland
and a ravenous voice
whispers in the darkness:
"You are here by choice."

Down here by the train.
Down here by the train.
Down here by the train.
Down here by the train.
Down here where the train don't go.

Well I know the Conductor,
and He’s a good man.
But I jumped off His train
to stay with the damned.
Now the trestle is broken
and the train won't come again,
But I've still torn up my ticket
like the eye that offends.

So if you missed the train,
If you missed the train,
If you missed the train,
If you missed the train,
Meet me where the train don't go.