May 3, 2019 (Friday)
I wrote the following blog from Houston eleven years ago. When I reviewed it this morning, I thought, “Maybe my friends would like to read this again, too.” So, here it is:
This morning I’m hearing the sound of a train whistle somewhere within miles of this room, and its unique soulful sound fills the air with memories. I recall sitting on the front porch with my grandfather in my grandparents’ near-Northside rented home, not far from the Englewood railroad yards in Houston. The air was filled with the sounds of steam engine train whistles. Humans have never produced a more emotional sound from a huge machine. I was only about 5 years old, and thought more about the meaning of those long and short bursts made by the whistles than the emotion attached to them in my mind today. What did they mean? My grandfather, who had worked until retirement on the railroad, patiently explained what those whistles were saying to each other. That’s a sweet memory that I’ve treasured all these years, and it floods my mind every time I hear the trains in the distance here where I’m living in the Houston Heights.
To his dying day, my grandfather made known to me his love. I never felt uncomfortable in his presence. He was much more than a friend to me, but as I meditate on it all today, I realize he was a true friend, because, he gave me full acceptance.
George Eliot (Mary Ann Evans) put it this way: “Oh, the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person; having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but to pour them all out, just as they are, chaff and grain together, knowing that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and then, with a breath of kindness, blow the rest away.”
“This is my wish for you: Comfort on difficult days, smiles when sadness intrudes, rainbows to follow the clouds, laughter to kiss your lips, sunsets to warm your heart, hugs when spirits sag, beauty for your eyes to see, friendships to brighten your being, faith so that you can believe, confidence for when you doubt, courage to know yourself, patience to accept the truth, Love to complete your life.” (If you know the source of these beautiful sentiments, please let me know).
My grandfather loved me. And he loved train songs. So do I.
Everything below this line has now been added to the original blog.
TRAIN SONGS:
Waiting for a Train, sung by Jimmie Rodgers in the 1920s
Railroad Song, by Jim Croce
John Henry (My grandfather would break out in song every once in a while, and “John Henry” was one of his favorites.
He also sang, “Muleskinner Blues.” I can hear him now: “John Henry” and “Muleskinner Blues”
He would have loved this Dolly Parton version
And Rhonda Vincent, too.
Here is my grandfather as Section Gang Foreman in East Texas a long time ago. He’s the man with hands on hips. Hover your mouse for a larger picture.
The man I knew as my grandfather was quite different from the foreman above, many years before I was born. Here he is with me when I was in high school.
MORE TRAIN SONGS:
Arlo Guthrie sings “The City of New Orleans”
Same song by Jason and Meagan with orchestra.
Hank Williams sings, “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” (Not a train song, but if you’re like me, you can hear the lonesome train sounds of yesteryear as he sings.
Johnny Cash: “I’ve Got A Thing About Trains”
Waylon Jennings: “This Train”
Chet Atkins “Wabash Cannon Ball” – “Freight Train”
Hank Snow and the Wabash Cannon Ball
READ THE LYRICS:
Waiting for a Train
Railroad Song
John Henry
Dolly’s Muleskinner Blues
The City of New Orleans
I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry
I’ve Got A Thing About Trains
This Train
Wabash Cannon Ball
Freight Train