Lyrics: Dan Tyminski. Wheels. How Long Is This Train.

How long is this train son
I heard his fragile voice
I didn?t want to listen but there really was no choice
It seems like it goes on forever and I waited for so long
The old man?s breath came slow and smelled of whiskey in the dawn

On a cold November morning in the gentle mist of rain
There?s just so many reasons that people wait to meet a train

And as I waited for my sister to come down the metal stairs
He told me that his son had not been home in fifteen years
And I barely seemed to notice the tears behind his face
But his wishes were no strangers to the people in this place

The old man stood there waiting for a young man dressed in blue
Then he handed him a neatly folded flag and said for you
He said your son he died a hero in the service of this flag
The old man took it gently put it in his paper bag
Then I left him in the rain there but I?d still hear his voice
I try hard not to listen but there really is no choice

On a cold November morning in the gentle mist of rain
There?s just so many reasons that people wait to meet a train

How long is this train son
I can hear the pouring rain
I?m still reminded of him when I hear a passing train