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A Train Robbery Tab

by Levon Helm


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'A Train Robbery'
by Levon Helm


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Intro: 


                                   
The foreman touched the cold steel lines
                            
The rail bed was frozen with ice
                                          
In the distance an engine was keeping good time
                             
The steam whistle moaned just twice


                              
Down in the cut past the old Tressel bridge
                   
Twelve fine horses stood
                                      
Masked men shivered in the cold on the ridge
                          
Not far from the Glendale woods


                                     
The brass lamp shone from the swaying train
                            
When the driver saw the red light
                                   
Her iron brakes sparked like silver rain
                                    
And the metals screamed through the night


                              
The baggage man peered out to look for the fault
                        
When fear froze up his heart
                                         
He was staring down the barrel of an army colt
                           
That threatened to tear him apart





We will burn your train to cinders
                      
so throw the money on down

Open up your damned express car
                      
And jump down to the ground



But we won't touch that old woman
                             
[Incomprehensible] and they claimed

They ain't offered no reward
                    
For Frank and Jesse James
                 
Frank and Jesse James





                                       
In long soldier's coats frayed with the years
                       
Quickly they scrambled aboard
                                        
Men were the sweatin' and the women shed tears
                            
And a preacher prayed to the Lord


                                      
When they opened the safe there was nothing for them
                                 
So they strode down through the train
                                     
What a miserable sight these desperate men
                                         
Robbin' old folks for their gold, watch, chains





We will burn your train to cinders
                      
so throw the money on down

Open up your damned express car
                      
And jump down to the ground



But we won't touch that old woman
                             
[Incomprehensible] and they claimed

They ain't offered no reward
                    
For Frank and Jesse James
                
Frank and Jesse James




                                     
Now some say the devil had taken his soul
                      
Some say his spirit survived
                                                 
But we all know he was nothin' but a Missouri farm boy
                      
Just fighting to stay alive


                  
High above that railroad bed
                                 
On a ridge where the pines grow tall
                                               
If you listen to the wind, there's a ghost of a chance
                            
You can still hear old Jesse call






We will burn your train to cinders
                     
so throw the money on down

Open up your damned express car
                     
And jump down to the ground



But we won't touch that old woman
                              
[Incomprehensible] and they claimed

They ain't offered no reward
                     
For Frank and Jesse James
                 
Frank and Jesse James