Janis Ian — The Last Train

[Verse 1] How long, how long has this train been gone? Was there a man who asked for me? I thought he'd wait to say so long I'm later than I meant to be [Verse 2] The station master closed his eyes Said, "My dear, the trains are gone Though forty years ago this night The last train left for Viet Nam" [Verse 3] She said, "My hair is lit with gray No roses bloom upon my lips But seems like only yesterday He graced me with a lover's kiss" [Verse 4] Then in the distance, thunder pealed A whistle pierced the cricket's song And you could see the sparks and the wheels Of the last train back from Viet Nam [Verse 5] It stopped just long enough to board And as she ran, time set her free A young man helped her through the door And said, "I knew you would wait for me" [Verse 6] There's many a young boy who won't come back Many a young girl who waits alone Sometimes they meet on life's long track They board that last train and go home