Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen
Perhaps the most depressing song on the album Born in the USA, “Downbound Train” tells the story of a man whose life is mired in decline after he gets laid off.
This song has an acoustic solo version that was originally part of what would later become the legendary Nebraska album.
[Verse 1]
I had a job, I had a girl
I had something going, mister, in this world
I got laid off down at the lumberyard
Our love went bad, times got hard
Now I work down at the car wash
Where all it ever does is rain
Don't you feel like you're a rider
On a downbound train?
[Verse 2]
She just said "Joe, I gotta go
We had it once, we ain't got it anymore"
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
[Verse 3]
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
Put on my jacket, I ran through the woods
I ran till I thought my chest would explode
There in a 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 sledgehammer on a railroad gang
Knocking down them cross ties, working in the rain
Now don't it feel like you're a rider
On a downbound train?
Downbound Train was written by Bruce Springsteen.
Downbound Train was produced by Bruce Springsteen & Little Steven & Chuck Plotkin & Jon Landau.
Bruce Springsteen released Downbound Train on Mon Jun 04 1984.