“Twenty Five to Midnight” was omitted from the USA and Canadian versions of Mercury Falling but is track 8 in most other import versions of the album. However, the song could also be found in the US single for “You Still Touch Me”.
Like I Was Brought to My Senses, the song uses the 7/4 time signatur...
[Verse 1]
Train I ride don't be slow
If your whistle can blow
Fifteen miles down the track
Tell them I'm coming back
Counting poles counting sheep
Don't be slow I won't weep
If your wheels on the line
Were to put me on time
Just a year to the day
Since I went upon my way
To seek my fortune and fame
Be a star, change my name
[Chorus]
And that's it more or less
Til this midnight express
I know I can't be late
Cause she said she won't wait
She'll just go marry Jack
So there's no turning back
And it's 25 to midnight and fifteen miles of track
[Verse 2]
Band I had got a break
Just one chance we had to take
Told my girl I'd be back
Left her with my friend Jack
New York City for a spell
Things didn't turn out so well
Every dive that we played
We were lucky we got paid
Mr Train driver please
If your speed you increase
Every cent I have now
Will be yours this I vow
[Chorus]
[Bridge]
We called ourselves the Latino Lovers
Hawaiian shirts and top forty covers
I didn't think I could sink this low
When drugs and booze ate all my dough
This isn't how it was meant to be
There's no such thing as a meal that's free
If I was ever to get out alive
I have to get home on time
[Verse 4]
Train I ride don't be slow
If your whistle can blow
Fifteen miles down the track
Tell them I'm coming back
[Chorus]
[Outro]
And it's 25 to midnight and fifteen miles of track
Twenty Five to Midnight was written by Sting.
Twenty Five to Midnight was produced by Hugh Padgham & Sting.
Sting released Twenty Five to Midnight on Fri Mar 08 1996.