Written by Tom Waits



Well I broke down in E. St. Louis

On the Kansas City line

and I drunk up all my money

that I borrowed every time

and I fell down at the derby

and now the night's black as a crow

It was a train that took me away from here

but a train can't bring me home

What made my dreams so hollow

was standing at the depot

with a steeple full of swallows

that could never ring the bell

and I come ten thousand miles away

with not one thing to show

well it was a train that took me away from here

but a train can't bring me home

I remember when I left

without bothering to pack

you know I up and left with

just the clothes I had on my back

now I'm sorry for what I've done

and I'm out here on my own

well it was a train that took me away from

here but a train can't bring me home