DOWNBOUND TRAIN^©

Live 25 Jun 2005 version

I had a job, I had a girl
I had something going mister in this world
I got laid off down at the lumber yard
Our love went bad, times got hard
Now I work down at the carwash
Where all it ever does is rain
Don't you feel like you're a rider 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 hear that whistle whining
I feel her kiss in the misty rain
And I feel like I'm a rider on a downbound train

Last night I heard your voice
You were crying, crying, you were so alone
You said your love had never died
You were waiting for me at home
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
My head pounding hard, up the stairs I climbed
The room was dark, our bed was empty
Then I heard that long whistle whine
And I dropped to my knees, hung my head and cried

Now I swing a sledge hammer on a railroad gang
Knocking down them cross ties, working in the rain
Don't it feel like you're a rider on a downbound train
On a downbound train
On a downbound train

DOWNBOUND TRAIN appeared 3 times during the Devils & Dust tour, played on pump-organ:

• 25 Jun 2005 at Hovet, Stockholm, Sweden (show opener)
• 27 Jun 2005 at Color Line Arena, Hamburg, Germany (show opener)
• 11 Nov 2005 at Constant Convocation Center, Norfolk, VA

Check out the album's version for more details about the song. Check also early demo #1, early demo #2, Nebraska demo version, live 21 Jun 1985 version, live 11 Aug 1999 version, The Smithereens' version, Raul Malo's version, and Kirk Kelly's version).