This song is about the death of the steam-engine train that was replaced with the diesel. The story tells of the train's last run across the country. My co-writer and I have written numerous songs about people, places and things from out of the past. We are considering putting them onto a CD to make available at various Historical Societies in New England.
I would like to pass some of our numbers by you folks to see if you think they warrant space on the planned CD. Thank you for your help.
Thank you Reid. I think you must be that proverbial one in a million for the other 90 people who listened did not care for it. I know it’s not mainstream and that most folks don’t care for niche music like bluegrass. I do understand why that is and thus your comments are much appreciated. Thanks again.
October 19, 2018
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I really do think it is a phenomenal song, so well written, and so well executed. I like Bluegrass for everything it is about, the many instruments, the sound, and everyone bringing their fiddles, guitars, washboards, or whatever they play, and jamming out for the day and night LOL.
October 19, 2018
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Hey Myrna and Pattrycya, Bluegrass music is one genre I enjoy listening too from time to time. The music and vocalist reminds me a little bit like Bradley Walker.
Love that dobro and the production is great! I like the storyline but I’ll admit. The first line in your chorus reminded me of Johnny Cash’s song.
I don’t know what rights you own on the recording itself. Songs like this are also on compilation cds that are sold in model railroad stores. Round Records released quite a few of them over the years. Not sure if they do that anymore.
You could also make a YouTube video to help promote the song to those railroad fans that are out there in the world.
Thanks for sharing your song!
October 20, 2018
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Thanks for your feedback Ronnie. We appreciate knowing you enjoyed the song. And thanks for the tips too. Had never thought about railroad enthusiasts in regards to this song.
October 20, 2018
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Myrna, first off, I honestly think there is a LOT to like about this song. Vocals are solid, lyrics are first rate, and the song evokes a nice (almost a Nitty Gritty Dirt Band) feel.
The only thing that jumped out at me that might be changed—at the end of the verse, bass should walk up in the last measure(1 1 2 3) so that the downbeat of the chorus is on a 4 chord—in the key of G, on the last measure of the verse, you get the bass player playing “G G A B”) and then he (and the band) land on a “Cmajor chord” on the downbeat (first note) of the chorus.
I thought that might help to make for a little more variation between the verse and the chorus, and set up a little more energy for the chorus.
Again, let me repeat: I think you got a LOT of things right about this song!!!
Best wishes in your songwriting endeavors!!!
October 31, 2018
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Thanks for your feedback Bob. I understand what you are saying about the bass line. I probably won’t get another demo made for it’s just going to sit in the drawer anyway. 
But it is nice to hear that I did something right with this song. I do appreciate your taking the time to provide feedback. Thanks again.
November 01, 2018
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Myrna, you’re perfectly welcome. I DO enjoy your songs! Best of luck with your songwriting!
November 23, 2018
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I enjoy bluegrass, and it’s too bad bluegrass isn’t mainstream. But I think it’s a great genre for story telling. And you tell this story beautifully. I really like this one. Great song! Thanks for sharing.
August 02, 2019
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I just can’t get enough of train songs! I’ve been fascinated by them since I was a baby, I’m sure! Every time I see one running, I’m just like a kid at Christmas!! Needless to say, I love your song. It’s well-written and the melody is perfect for the lyrics! I love the fact that the engineer loves this train almost like a woman, and you give her such personality, Myrna!! Great writing!
January 08, 2020
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Thank you Linne for your feedback. Some years ago I was out in Montana and the train I was on had a very young, twenty-some year old girl as its engineer. I was thoroughly impressed by that. Perhaps it’s a line of work you should consider. Thank youa gain for liking our song.
January 08, 2020
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There’s just not much a woman can’t do, and do it well! I love the idea of being an engineer, but don’t love the idea of coming out of my retirement (Neonatal RN) enough to do something like that! But, like yourself, I sure love to write about trains!
January 11, 2020
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Congrats on your great career and your retirement. I too am retired, 84 this year. I was a musician and an information researcher. I am so old that I was among the very first to use the now so-called Internet, back when it was a DOS program running on NASA’s mainframe. As Bob Braddock’s song says, time marches on.
January 11, 2020
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Hear that Train a' Comin'
© 2016 Patrycya Hill, Myrna Riquier
The single flat lane pathway, was a blessing to his train
And tonight he carefully guides her, moving slowly through the rain
Puffing steam and winding ‘round, those dark and damp steel rails
The black iron wheels a rattlin’, as she chugs on down the trail.
Leaving California, you could hear her engine roar.
Three thousand miles before them, in route to Baltimore
She climbs up those high block outs, she hugs the mountain side
A sadness stirs the Engineer, as they go on this last ride.
Hear that train a comin' ....coming down the track
Huffin’ and a puffin’, cars loaded back to back
Sometimes slow, sometimes fast, this time she won’t be back
Hear that train a comin’….woo woo
Hear that train a comin’….woo woo
Hear her comin’ down the track
The old steam train will be replaced, by a diesel that’s brand new
And she’ll be missed by those who heard, her whistle when it blew
She’ll go on East to end her days, in some old junk yard pile
Like every run before this day, she’ll take this one in style.
He knows it is the last run, for his steam engine friend
He feels her rumblin’ through the night, to their last journey’s end
The Engineer and his steam train, have stood the test of time
Now pushed aside to make way for, a diesel railroad line.
Hear that train a coming ....coming down the track
Huffin’ and a puffin’, cars loaded back to back
Sometimes slow, sometimes fast, this time she won’t be back
Hear that train a comin’….woo woo
Hear that train a comin’….woo woo
Hear her comin’ down the track.
0
Wow, AMAZING SONG Myrna! From the start the music reminded me of trains. The lyrics and music are phenomenal, and great story you tell!
October 18, 2018
0
Thank you Reid. I think you must be that proverbial one in a million for the other 90 people who listened did not care for it. I know it’s not mainstream and that most folks don’t care for niche music like bluegrass. I do understand why that is and thus your comments are much appreciated. Thanks again.
October 19, 2018
0
I really do think it is a phenomenal song, so well written, and so well executed. I like Bluegrass for everything it is about, the many instruments, the sound, and everyone bringing their fiddles, guitars, washboards, or whatever they play, and jamming out for the day and night LOL.
October 19, 2018
0
Hey Myrna and Pattrycya, Bluegrass music is one genre I enjoy listening too from time to time. The music and vocalist reminds me a little bit like Bradley Walker.
Love that dobro and the production is great! I like the storyline but I’ll admit. The first line in your chorus reminded me of Johnny Cash’s song.
I don’t know what rights you own on the recording itself. Songs like this are also on compilation cds that are sold in model railroad stores. Round Records released quite a few of them over the years. Not sure if they do that anymore.
You could also make a YouTube video to help promote the song to those railroad fans that are out there in the world.
Thanks for sharing your song!
October 20, 2018
0
Thanks for your feedback Ronnie. We appreciate knowing you enjoyed the song. And thanks for the tips too. Had never thought about railroad enthusiasts in regards to this song.
October 20, 2018
0
Myrna, first off, I honestly think there is a LOT to like about this song. Vocals are solid, lyrics are first rate, and the song evokes a nice (almost a Nitty Gritty Dirt Band) feel.
The only thing that jumped out at me that might be changed—at the end of the verse, bass should walk up in the last measure(1 1 2 3) so that the downbeat of the chorus is on a 4 chord—in the key of G, on the last measure of the verse, you get the bass player playing “G G A B”) and then he (and the band) land on a “Cmajor chord” on the downbeat (first note) of the chorus.
I thought that might help to make for a little more variation between the verse and the chorus, and set up a little more energy for the chorus.
Again, let me repeat: I think you got a LOT of things right about this song!!!
Best wishes in your songwriting endeavors!!!
October 31, 2018
0
Thanks for your feedback Bob. I understand what you are saying about the bass line. I probably won’t get another demo made for it’s just going to sit in the drawer anyway. But it is nice to hear that I did something right with this song. I do appreciate your taking the time to provide feedback. Thanks again.
November 01, 2018
0
Myrna, you’re perfectly welcome. I DO enjoy your songs! Best of luck with your songwriting!
November 23, 2018
0
I enjoy bluegrass, and it’s too bad bluegrass isn’t mainstream. But I think it’s a great genre for story telling. And you tell this story beautifully. I really like this one. Great song! Thanks for sharing.
August 02, 2019
0
I just can’t get enough of train songs! I’ve been fascinated by them since I was a baby, I’m sure! Every time I see one running, I’m just like a kid at Christmas!! Needless to say, I love your song. It’s well-written and the melody is perfect for the lyrics! I love the fact that the engineer loves this train almost like a woman, and you give her such personality, Myrna!! Great writing!
January 08, 2020
0
Thank you Linne for your feedback. Some years ago I was out in Montana and the train I was on had a very young, twenty-some year old girl as its engineer. I was thoroughly impressed by that. Perhaps it’s a line of work you should consider. Thank youa gain for liking our song.
January 08, 2020
0
There’s just not much a woman can’t do, and do it well! I love the idea of being an engineer, but don’t love the idea of coming out of my retirement (Neonatal RN) enough to do something like that! But, like yourself, I sure love to write about trains!
January 11, 2020
0
Congrats on your great career and your retirement. I too am retired, 84 this year. I was a musician and an information researcher. I am so old that I was among the very first to use the now so-called Internet, back when it was a DOS program running on NASA’s mainframe. As Bob Braddock’s song says, time marches on.
January 11, 2020
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Reid Yamamoto
Wow, AMAZING SONG Myrna! From the start the music reminded me of trains. The lyrics and music are phenomenal, and great story you tell!
October 18, 2018
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