Where They Missed the Train

"Down There by the Train" was written by Tom Waits', but was first recorded and released by Johnny Cash. The song, a beautiful folk-gospel hymn with powerful themes of forgiveness and redemption, has subsequently been covered by other artists. Waits released his own version in 2006.

Upon hearing Waits' version, I noticed a small but interesting difference: he uses the word "will" to refer to salvation (e.g. "I know your name will be on that list"). Cash, and other artists who have covered the song (Dustin Kensrue, most recently), use the word "can" (e.g. "I know you can be saved").

This tiny alteration carries a lot of weight. I decided to write an adapted version of the song, or perhaps a sequel to it, in which the theological implications of the change have been fully realized:

There’s a place I know
where the train used to go
where some sinners were forgiven
by the blood of the Lamb
But the river’s frozen over
down by Sinner’s Grove
and the dogwood flowers
have been choked by snow

Where they missed the train
Where they missed the train
Where they missed the train
Where they missed the train
Down there where the train
used to go

Men and women, cold and naked
shiver in the mist
They are all of God’s children
who weren’t on his list
There are tears on the marsh grass
and dried blood on the trees
and the sobs of lost souls
echo softly through the reeds

Where they missed the train
Where they missed the train
Where they missed the train
Where they missed the train
Down there where the train
used to go

They all heard the whistle
They all heard the bell
and they ran towards heaven
but were left in hell
Those who didn't have a ticket
weren’t allowed onboard
Some got caught up in the thickets
and lost sight of the Lord

Where they missed the train
Where they missed the train
Where they missed the train
Where they missed the train
Down there where the train
used to go

Well I know the conductor
I know he’s a good man
But I jumped off that train
to stay with the damned
There was room for the forsaken
who were there on time
But the ones that slipped or stumbled
were all left behind

So meet me if you missed the train
If you missed the train
If you missed the train
If you missed the train
Down there where the train
won’t go.