Lyric discussion by bluedogbeads 

"They caught the Cady and left me a mule to ride "

I believe this should be "They caught the Katy..." in reference to the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad. Also a line the Taj Mahal song "she caught the Katy, and left me on a mule to ride"

@bluedogbeads excellent information thank you. The comparison with the express train and the mule is in my view important here. The express train to fame and fortune was caught by the well supported country artist while they left her a arduous journey without recognition on a mule. Of course that conjures up the image of Mary on the mule to bethlehem also without receiving hospitality and forced to sleep in a stable. The comparison can be drawn out further since Mary's gift was truthful pure and profound, so is Welch's gift to the world. But neither gifts are acknowledged...

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