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The Moorland Train

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(An homage to the North Yorkshire Moors Railway and Johnny Cash)

 

I hear the train guard’s whistle

The slamming of the doors

The fireman stokes the furnace

For the haul across the moors;

The driver lets some steam off

And sees the train guard’s flag

Then gets those big wheels turning

For the Goathland Drag.

 

You’re leaning from the window

As the platform eases by

There’s thunder ringing in your ears

There’s cinder in your eye;

The sun beats down from Heaven

The clouds then burst with rain;

You’ll witness all four seasons

As you ride the Moorland Train.

 

You smell the smoke and oil

You close your eyes and then

Forget the years of passage

And your twelve years old again;

The sun beats down from Heaven

The clouds then burst with rain;

You’ll witness all four seasons

As you ride the Moorland Train.

 

She’s heaving up the incline

Just hear those pistons sing

We’re due next stop in Goathland

Then on to Pickering;

The sun beats down from Heaven

The clouds then burst with rain;

You’ll witness all four seasons

As you ride the Moorland Train.

◄ Google Never Forgets

Virtuosa ►

Comments

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John Coopey

Wed 21st May 2014 23:41

Thanks Ian and Dave. Wakefield Prison, eh, Ian? Not so sure they'd let me out.
It is a cracking line, Dave. I went there on a dad and daughter day last New Year's Eve.

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Dave Bradley

Wed 21st May 2014 23:23

Excellent! Rode the train many years ago. This brings it all back - it's a lovely line.

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Ian Whiteley

Wed 21st May 2014 19:38

good 'un John - why not extend the Cash influences and do one about Wakefield prison - or better still play a gig there 'John Coopey live at Wakefield Prison' has a certain ring to it - they may even make up a bed for you

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John Coopey

Wed 21st May 2014 18:41

Many thanks, GReg and MC.
When I learned the combination of notes which made that whistle i felt like "The Man Who Found the Lost Chord".

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Greg Freeman

Wed 21st May 2014 15:22

Ah, that lonesome whistle of the North Yorkshire Moors railway ... maybe they'll make this their theme tune!

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M.C. Newberry

Wed 21st May 2014 13:51

J.C. - as a die-hard J.C. fan (the OTHER J.C. this
time), I love this tribute to his famous hit song,
with its clever combination of the two railway
themes.
"Keep those songs a-comin'
They're always damn good fun
And like those wheels a-hummin'
We'll turn for every one..."

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