DOWNBOUND TRAIN^©

Nebraska demo version

I had a job, I had a girl
I had something going mister in this world
I got laid off down at the auto yard
Our love went bad, times got hard
Now I work down at the carwash
Where all it does is rain
Sometimes you feel like you're a rider, baby, on a downbound train

She just said "Joe I gotta go
We had it once we ain't got it any more"
She packed her bags left me behind
She bought a ticket on the Central Line
Nights as I sleep, I still hear the whistle whining
I feel her soft kiss in the misty morning rain
Sometimes don't you feel like you're a rider, baby, on a downbound train

Hahhhhhh
Hahhh hahhh

Last night I heard her voice
You were crying, crying, you were so alone
You said your love had never died
And you were waiting for me at home
Well I put on my jacket, I ran through the woods
I ran till I thought my chest would explode
There in the clearing, beyond the highway
In the moonlight, our wedding house shone
I rushed through the yard, I burst through the front door
And then up the stairs I climbed
The room was dark, our bed was empty
And then I heard that long whistle whine
And then I dropped to my knees, hung my head and cried

Well now I swing a sledge hammer on a railroad gang
Knocking down them cross ties, working in the rain
Sometimes don't it feel like you're a rider, baby, on a downbound train

Hahhhhhh
Hoooo hoo-hoo-hoo
Hahhh hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo
Hoooo hoo-hoo-hoo

This solo acoustic demo is a professional recording that was made at Thrill Hill East, Springsteen's home studio in Colt's Neck, NJ, on or around 03 Jan 1982. It was included on the famous Nebraska demo tape of Jan 1982.

On this version, Bruce tries a fast rockabilly style arrangement, maintaining the acoustic form, probably the last chance the song had to be on Nebraska before being put apart for future glory. Check the album's version for more details – it has some minor lyrics variations from this one.

Check out the album's version (more details), early demo #1, and early demo #2. Also check the live versions (live 21 Jun 1985 version, live 11 Aug 1999 version, and live 25 Jun 2005 version) and the cover versions (The Smithereens' version, Raul Malo's version, and Kirk Kelly's version).