Story Behind The Song
My children were in a play about migration across the American continent and the story gripped me as I recalled a friend who had ridden on this "train." The song wouldn't let me go!
Song Description
An amazing story of mass migration and generosity, personalized.
| Song Length |
4:41 |
Genre |
Folk - Rural, |
| Tempo |
Medium (111 - 130) |
Lead Vocal |
Male Vocal |
| Mood |
Moving, Poignant |
Subject |
Loneliness, Worry |
| Language |
English |
Era |
1940 - 1949 |
Lyrics
I ain't got nobody
I'm in this world alone
and I ain't got no money
no place to call my home
My Ma and Pa they up and died
to heaven they have flown
So I'm ridin on these singin' rails
called the Orphan Train.
Orphan Train, Orphan Train
A hundred more just like me
who long to hope again
We're ridin' here together
upon the Orphan Train.
They found me in the city
livin' on the street
Found me in the city
nothin' on my feet
They said that they would send me
to a family out West
So I'm ridin' on these singin' rails....
So I'm goin' to Wisconsin
to Minnesota, too
To a place I've never heard of
see a face a never knew
I hope they'll treat me kindly
and maybe love me, too
I'm ridin' on these singin' rails...