Merle Haggard — So Long Train Whistle

[Verse 1] Daddy's been a railroad man since he was twenty-one Two years apprenticeship, a brakeman on the Denver run Thirty, he made fireman, thirty-five, an engineer Now at sixty-five, he's reached the end of his career Daddy said he's glad it's over, but he ain't fooling me Last night I overheard him singing this sad old melody [Chorus] So long, train whistle, so long hmm-hmm This near generation has no need for you or I We both served the nation long before it learned to fly Nothing lasts forever, now it's our turn to die Lord, hear that whistle cry [Verse 2] Daddy's not the only one, the railroad lines are fired The New York Central Limited has long since been retired Chief is gone from Santa Fe, the SP Lark, as well How soon the rest will leave the rails? Lord, only time you tell I know that you can't stop progress New things happen every day We're going to mourn that lonely whistle When it finally fades away [Chorus] So long, train whistle, so long hmm-hmm This near generation has no need for you or I We both served the nation long before it learned to fly Nothing lasts forever, now it's our turn to die Lord, hear that whistle cry Hear that whistle cry