Gospel Song – This Train

Gospel Song – This Train.

This traditional gospel song has become a standard since Sister Rosetta Tharpe recorded it in the late 1930’s. In the early 1950’s, she recorded the song with her electric guitar, and the song became a universal favorite across the genres: folk, blues, bluegrass, gospel, jazz and reggae. It is said that Sister Tharpe’s electric version was one of the defining beginning points for rock and roll. “This Train” has unclear origins, but was certainly in the African American folk tradition, first recorded in 1922. Singer-songwriter Woody Guthrie recorded it in 1958, making many additions to the original lyrics.

 

 

LYRICS – This Train

This train is a clean train, this train (2x)

This train is a clean train, everybody riding in Jesus’ Name,

This train is a clean train, this train.

 

This train has left the station, this train (2x)

This train has left the station, and this train takes on every nation,

This train is a clean train, this train.

 

This train is bound for glory, this train (2x)

This train is bound for glory, everybody riding her must be holy

This train is a clean train, this train.

 

 

It’s the prettiest train I’ve ever seen, this train (2x)

It’s the prettiest train I’ve ever seen, but if you want to ride her, better get redeemed,

This train is a clean train, this train.

 

This train don’t carry no liars, this train (2x)

This train don’t carry no liars, no backbiters or backsliders,

This train is a clean train, this train.

 

This train don’t pull no jokers, this train (2x)

This train don’t pull no jokers, no tobacco chewers or cigar smokers

This train is a clean train, this train.