Outside another yellow moon
Has punched a hole in the nighttime, yes
I climb through the window and down the street
I'm shining like a new dime
The downtown trains are full
With all those Brooklyn girls
They try so hard to break out of their little worlds

Well, you wave your hand and they scatter like crows
They have nothing that will ever capture your heart
They're just thorns without the rose
Be careful of them in the dark
Oh if I was the one
You chose to be your only one
Oh baby can't you hear me now, can't you hear me now?

Will I see you tonight
On a downtown train?
Every night it's just the same
You leave me lonely, now

I know your window and I know it's late
I know your stairs and your doorway
I walk down your street and past your gate
I stand by the light at the four-way
You watch them as the fall
Oh baby, they all have heart attacks
They stay at the carnival
But they'll never win you back

Will I see you tonight
On a downtown train?
Every night it's just the same
Oh, baby

Will I see you tonight
On a downtown train?
All of my dreams just fall like rain
Oh, baby, on a downtown train

Will I see you tonight
On a downtown train?
Every night, every night it's just the same
Oh, baby

Will I see you tonight
On a downtown train?
All of my dreams just fall like rain
Well, on a downtown train

Well, on a downtown train
Well, on a downtown train
Well, on a downtown train
On a downtown train


Lyrics submitted by yuri_sucupira

Downtown Train Lyrics as written by Tom Waits

Lyrics © JALMA MUSIC

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Downtown Train song meanings
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  • +2
    General Comment

    One of the most beautiful songs ever written and sung in Tom's gravel voice is truly meant. It's about loneliness and dreaming of love that can't be reached. he is looking at the girl in the window, she is looking at the bright lights of the city, both searching for the same thing in different places; the same things we all look for and find at different times in different ways. I read a beautiful book on Amazon kindle called 'Why do some apples Get Rotten' that has the same searching theme and wonderful lyric style. she's a courtesan but does she want love? Of course she does.

    NWNmoonon November 15, 2012   Link

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