“Long Black Train” is one of those songs that feels like it comes right from the heart of old American tales—steeped in wisdom, shadow, and a flickering light of hope. Written and performed by Josh Turner, this song isn’t just music; it’s a kind of hymn, a soulful caution about the darker temptations that cross our paths in life. When you hear that low, resonant voice start singing, it’s almost like a voice from long ago, one that’s both steady and stirring, reminding us of something we can’t quite put into words but know in our bones.
The song uses the image of a long black train as a metaphor for the seductive pull of sin, doubt, or despair—those heavy things we sometimes carry without even realizing it. Turner paints a vivid scene of a train rolling through, enticing souls to jump on, but he also reminds us that there’s always a choice. With each verse, he speaks to the listener as if saying, “I’ve seen that train too. I know how hard it is to turn away, but you’re stronger than you think.”
This track isn’t just about resisting darkness, though. It’s about finding strength and solace in faith, in something larger than ourselves. There’s a certain solemnity to it, but also a profound beauty, a kind of reassurance that, no matter how tempting that train might look, there’s always another way—one grounded in hope and resilience.
When you listen, it’s easy to get swept up in the simplicity of the melody, which almost feels like a spiritual journey. It’s a song for anyone who’s ever had to confront their own struggles, anyone who’s felt that pull of something they know isn’t right but somehow feels inevitable. “Long Black Train” is a reminder that there’s power in staying true, in choosing the path that may not be easy but is always worth it
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Lyrics
There’s a long black train
Coming down the line
Feeding off the souls that are lost and crying
Rails of sin only evil remains
Watch out brother for that long Black Train
Look to the heavens
You can look to the skies
You can find redemption
Staring back into your eyes
There is protection and there’s peace the same
Burnin your ticket for that
Long Black Train
Cause there’s victory in the Lord I say
Victory in the Lord
Cling to the Father and his Holy Name
And don’t go riding on that long Black Train
There’s a engineer on that Long Black Train
Making you wonder if your ride is worth the pain
He’s just a waitin on your heart to say
Let me ride on that long black train
But you know there’s victory in the Lord I say
Victory in the Lord
Cling to the Father and his Holy Name
And don’t go riding on that long Black Train
Well I can hear the whistle from a mile away
It sounds so good
But I must stay away
That train is a beauty making everybody stare
But its only destination is the middle of nowhere
But you know there’s victory in the Lord I say
Victory in the Lord
Cling to the Father and his Holy Name
And don’t go riding on that long Black Train
I said cling to the Father and his Holy Name
And don’t go ridin on that long Black Train
Yeah watch out brother for that long Black Train
That Devil’s a drivin that long Black Train.