How Long Is This Train

How long is this train son I heard his fragile voice I didn't want to listen but there really was no choice It seems like it goes on forever and I've waited for so long The old man's breath came slow and smelled of whiskey in the dawn On a cold November morning in the gentle mist of rain There's just so many reasons that people wait to meet a train And as I waited for my sister to come down the metal stairs He told me that his son had not been home in fifteen years And I barely seemed to notice the tears that find his face But emotions were no strangers to the people in this place The old man stood there waiting for a young man dressed in blue Then he handed him a neatly folded flag and said for you He said your son he died a hero in the service of this flag The old man took it gently put it in his paper bag Then I left him in the rain there but I still hear his voice I try hard not to listen but there really is no choice On a cold November morning in the gentle mist of rain There's just so many reasons that people wait to meet a train How long is this train son I can hear the pouring rain I'm still reminded of him when I hear a passing train