Singer/Songwriter with guitar. English.
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Story behind the song
Overwhelmed by a crying sense of nostalgia, coupled with an enduring fascination for the American railraod, what else could I do but write this song?
Lyrics
"Headin’ for Frisco Bay"
This train is bound for San Francisco Bay,
Its steel rails are pointin’ out that way.
When the engine makes the grade,
It can coast down all the rest of the way--
It can coast right down to San Francisco Bay.
Look outside the window, you can see the stars;
This train’s so high they really don’t seem that far.
You can almost touch the sky,
The Milky Way is floatin by
As this train’s whistle howls out into the night.
(refrain)
Crawlin up this mountain in the black of night,
Six miles to go ‘fore we reach the western side.
This midnight zephyr’s never failed me yet,
You can lay down all your money—I’ll take that bet.
Well the East side’s awfully steep
But our locomotive’s got it beat
Pullin’ ten cars with another one to spare.
(optional Kazoo interlude)
(refrain)
One mile to go before that High Sierra ridge,
Snow piled on the mountain tops
And the wind is blowin’ mighty fierce.
Glidin’ down this grade--this train’s on a roll,
Look down that gorge, there’s a river far below.
We’ll be flyin’ through the valley today
Fruit trees waving us on our way
This train can’t stop till it reaches San Francisco Bay.
This train is slowin, the station’s drawing near;
Think I’ll head out to the avenues, grab a beer.
Then I’ll drift up to the Haight
Getting ready for my heavy date
With a gal that I met down by San Francisco Bay.
(refrain)
But when I’m tired of c’rousin
And I need some rest,
I’ll hitch a ride out to the east
Catch a train that’s headin’ west--
Make that a train that’s bound for San Francisco Bay,
With its steel rails pullin’ out that way.
When the engine makes the grade,
It can coast down all the rest of the way--
It can coast right down to San Francisco Bay.
