“Train Running Low On Soul Coal”
words & music by Andy Partridge
from the XTC album “The Big Express”

Me train running low on soul coal
They push-pull tactics are driving me loco
They shouldn't do that, no no no,
They shouldn't do that.
Me train running low on dream steam
They pull me whistle too hard, me bound to scream
And they shouldn't do that, no no no,
They shouldn't do that.

Think I'm going south for the winter.
Think I'm going mad,
In this hinterland between young and old
I'm a thirty-year-old puppy doing what I'm told
And I'm told there's no more coal for the older engines.

Me train running low on soul coal
They push-pull tactics are driving me loco
And they shouldn't do that, no no no,
They shouldn't do that, no!
Me train running low on dream steam
They pull me whistle too hard, me bound to scream
And they shouldn't do that, no no no,
They shouldn't do that, no!

Think I'm going south for the winter.
Think I'm going west,
And my sprinter's speed is reduced to a crawl
My rails went straight, but straight into the wall
It's the wall on which they dash the older engines.

And all my servants are leaving;
Imagination gone packing.
Can't find the wound from where I'm bleeding
“He's just a nut, and he's cracking.”

Hammer goes down, brakes all scream;
Me and a couple of empty carriages.
Slide down hill, still,
Next stop, Bad Dreamsville~!

Think I'm going south for the winter; yeah, yeah, yeah!
Think I'm going west,
And my sprinter's speed, reduced to a crawl
My rails went straight, straight into the wall
It's the wall on which they dash the older engines. Nooooooo!!!

Me train running low on soul coal, whee-ee! Whee-ee!