I don't get these lyrics

[PRINCESS VIJA]

I don't get the last line of each verse of this song...

Mary had a baby (My Lord)
Mary had a baby (Oh My Lord)
Mary had a baby (My Lord)
The people keep coming but the train has gone


what is with the train?

 

[Maleficent13]

I have no idea but this made me

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

Here is another version...

Mary had a baby, Oh Lord,
Mary had a baby, Oh my Lord,
Mary had a baby, Oh Lord,
People keep a-comin' an' the train done gone.

What did she name Him? Oh Lord,
What did she name Him? Oh my Lord,
What did she name Him? Oh Lord,
People keep a-comin' an' the train done gone.

She named Him, Jesus, Oh Lord,
She named Him, Jesus, Oh my Lord,
She named Him, Jesus, Oh Lord,
People keep a-comin' an' the train done gone.

Now where was He born? Oh Lord,
Where was He born? Oh my Lord,
Where was He born? Oh Lord,
People keep a-comin' an' the train done gone.

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

Maleficent13, I know what you mean, it does sound funny. I have a CD I just got and it has the song on it, I love the sound of the song, but I couldn't understand the last line, so I looked it up, the line is this one on my CD....
People keep a-comin' an' the train done gone.

I just don't get it!

 

[caitycaity]

is it an old spiritual?

perhaps the train is in refernce to the underground railroad?

 

[~*Belle 2003*~]

I don't get the last line of each verse of this song...

Mary had a baby (My Lord)
Mary had a baby (Oh My Lord)
Mary had a baby (My Lord)
The people keep coming but the train has gone


what is with the train?

My guess is it's referring to the Disney Railroad!

 

[MommyPoppins]

I have never heard of this song. But I know one thing is for sure. When Mary had her baby, there sure as heck weren't any trains.

 

[Aimeedyan]

I have never heard of this song. But I know one thing is for sure. When Mary had her baby, there sure as heck weren't any trains.

LOL!!!!!

I'm trying really hard, but I am not sure... the only thing I can think of is that it's a spiritual, with mentions of the underground railroad in it. That's all I am getting.

 

[Buckalew11]

I think Caity is probably right. There was a lot of hidden meanings in those old spirituals. The whole thing is fascinating to me. I'm going to have to find time to look into this.

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

I think Caity is right too, somewhere I saw as I was searching that it is a "spiritual" song, but it doesn't give any more information.

 

[caitycaity]

i really enjoy spiritual music. they tend to have a lot of that response stuff going on (like mary had a baby (my lord)). like buckalew said, they also frequently have a lot of hidden meanings since they were sung by slaves. i also find it really interesting.

 

[Cheap-n-Dale]

Although I have not heard this song...

Its is likely a reference to the American Folklore the train of salvation. Much in the same vane as Curtis Mayfields "People Get Ready"

People get ready, there's a train a-comin'
You don't need no baggage, you just get on board
All you need is faith to hear the diesels hummin'
Don't need no ticket, you just thank the Lord

There is another song that was made popular by Woody Guthrie and Johnny Cash. "This train's bound for Glory"

There is also a popular country song out, Toby Keith I think, that references a train in a gospol type context.


I think we are talking all the same train....

 

[gallaj0]

I believe it alludes to the chosen believers being on "the way to salvation/heaven/etc." while the nonbelievers are left behind.

ETA, it seems to be an "updated" version of the "sweet chariot, comin' for to carry me home" theme.

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

Ok, I understand that, but it seems sad to me, "the people keep a comin" what happens to them? Are they all the non believers? The train is gone, so no one can get a chance to get on?

 

[gallaj0]

That is also a common theme; not being "saved" in time to make it to salvation. The whole theme gets summed up in "like a thief in the night" and "not knowing the hour of his return" allegory, where you need to believe, or you will miss salvation.

The entire book/movie series "Left Behind", among others, is based on that same perception, and is fairly popular.

 

[caitycaity]

well if that is what the song is referring to (i'm still not convinced) i guess i'll be one of the people that keep coming.

 

[gallaj0]

I'll meet you on the platform, we'll have some eggnog. They make it with booze already in it, you know.

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

I still have a hard time believing that is what it is. I know I am not a Christian scholar, but I thought anyone who chooses Jesus as their salvation gets saved. The train being gone doesn't make sense to me. hmmmm, I wish I could find the hisory on this song, but I have had no luck on the interet.

BTW, I still love this song! the melody is so simple and sweet. The CD that I have sometimes is hard to understand the words, initially I thought one of the lines was...

Naked in a manger (and then with the OH my Lord I interpreted it as Good heavens He's naked! LOL)

But apparently the words are Laid him in a manger! OOOPS, glad I found the lyrics spelled out for me! LOL!

 

[Ms.Trudy]

I have done a couple teachings on this song at my preschool Christmas programs and Awana club. I've used this song because it's cute and easy for the kids to learn. The message it shares is even better. It does refer to the underground railroad. The railroad saved slaves. We are all slaves to sin. We need to be saved. You are right. When you accept Jesus you are saved. However, that needs to happen in your life time. Not after you die. I've actually heard people who believe that they can just apologize for all they have done after they die. This is not true. You must accept Jesus as your personal Savior while you are still alive. Faith is believing that which is not seen. So you see. When it say the people keep a comin but the train done gone refers to not being to late to accept the gift of salvation. I hope that this has helped.

 

[JaxDad]

Based on my understanding of spiritual music, I believe the train represents zombies...