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Cover art for The Train Song by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

The Train Song

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
Track 11 on B-Sides & Rarities (Part I) 

Producers

Victor Van Vugt, Gareth Jones &
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds' “The Train Song” was originally released as the B-side to their single “The Ship Song” off of their 1990 album The Good Son. It would later be… Read More 
Mar. 20, 19901 viewer

The Train Song Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Tell me how long's the train been gone?
Tell me how long's the train been gone?
And was she there?
And was she there?
Tell me how long's the train been gone?

[Verse 2]
Tell me how many coaches long?
Tell me how many coaches long?
What did she wear?
And what did she wear?
Tell me how many coaches long?

[Verse 3]
Tell me when did the whistle blow?
Tell me when did the whistle blow?
And did she tie her hair?
And did she tie her hair?
Tell me when did the whistle blow?

[Verse 1]
Tell me how long's the train been gone?
Tell me how long's the train been gone?
And was she there?
And was she there?
Tell me how long's the train been gone?
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About

Genius Annotation

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds' “The Train Song” was originally released as the B-side to their single “The Ship Song” off of their 1990 album The Good Son. It would later be collected on B-Sides & Rarities and on the 2010 re-release of The Good Son.

Q&A

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning

Who produced “The Train Song” by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds?
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B-Sides & Rarities (Part I) (2005)
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
  1. 1.
    Deanna (Acoustic Version)
  2. 2.
    The Mercy Seat (Acoustic Version)
  3. 3.
    City of Refuge (Acoustic Version)
  4. 4.
    The Moon Is in the Gutter
  5. 5.
    The Six Strings That Drew Blood
  6. 6.
    Rye Whiskey
  7. 7.
    Running Scared
  8. 8.
    Black Betty
  9. 9.
    Scum
  10. 10.
    The Girl at the Bottom of My Glass
  11. 11.
    The Train Song
  12. 12.
    Cocks N’ Asses
  13. 13.
    Blue Bird
  14. 14.
    Helpless
  15. 15.
    God’s Hotel
  16. 16.
    (I’ll Love You) Till the End of the World
  17. 17.
    Cassiel’s Song
  18. 18.
    Tower of Song
  19. 19.
    What Can I Give You?
  20. 20.
    What a Wonderful World
  21. 21.
    Rainy Night in Soho
  22. 22.
    Lucy (Version #2)
  23. 23.
    Jack the Ripper (Acoustic Version)
  24. 24.
    Sail Away
  25. 25.
    There’s No Night Out in the Jail
  26. 26.
    That’s What Jazz Is to Me
  27. 27.
    The Willow Garden
  28. 28.
    The Ballad of Robert Moore and Betty Coltrane
  29. 29.
    King Kong Kitchee Ki-Mi-O
  30. 30.
    Knoxville Girl
  31. 31.
    Where the Wild Roses Grow (Original Guide Vocal Version)
  32. 32.
    O’Malley’s Bar (Part 1)
  33. 33.
    O’Malley’s Bar (Part 2)
  34. 34.
    O’Malley’s Bar (Part 3)
  35. 35.
    O’Malley’s Bar (Reprise)
  36. 36.
    Time Jesum Transeuntum Et Non Riverentum
  37. 37.
    Red Right Hand (Scream 3 Version)
  38. 38.
    Little Empty Boat
  39. 39.
    Right Now I’m A-Roaming
  40. 40.
    Come Into My Sleep
  41. 41.
    Black Hair (Band Version)
  42. 42.
    Babe, I Got You Bad
  43. 43.
    Sheep May Safely Graze
  44. 44.
    Opium Tea
  45. 45.
    Grief Came Riding
  46. 46.
    Bless His Ever Loving Heart
  47. 47.
    Good Good Day
  48. 48.
    Little Janey’s Gone
  49. 49.
    I Feel So Good
  50. 50.
    Shoot Me Down
  51. 51.
    Swing Low
  52. 52.
    Little Ghost Song
  53. 53.
    Everything Must Converge
  54. 54.
    Nocturama
  55. 55.
    She’s Leaving You
  56. 56.
    Under This Moon
Credits
Producers
Writer
Bass
Acoustic Guitar
String Arrangement
Drums
Tremolo Guitar
Guitar
Piano
Vocals
Release Date
March 20, 1990
Tags
RockPost-PunkBallad
Comments
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