Little Black Train

Album: The Carter Family Album (1935)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The "little black train" represents death. Like many songs the Carter Family popularized, it was based on a gospel hymn the dates back to the 1800s. The song is telling the listener to get right with God before the light goes out.
  • The writing credit on this song goes to A.P. Carter, who along with Mother Maybelle Carter and Sara Carter, formed the group at this time. A.P. accumulated many songwriting credits by adapting hymns for a more contemporary audience. In many cases, the Carter Family arrangements became the standards for these songs.
  • Woody Guthrie also did a popular arrangement of this song with a different set of lyrics. His version was copyrighted in 1965.
  • Mother Maybelle Carter's granddaughter Carlene Carter recorded a modern version for her 2014 album Carter Girl. In our interview with Carlene, she said: "When you hear the original recording of 'Little Black Train,' Grandma and Sara are singing in these little tiny hillbilly voices and a completely different guitar thing and a different feel. And I thought, This needs to be more rocking."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Dave Edmunds

Dave EdmundsSongwriter Interviews

A renowned guitarist and rock revivalist, Dave took "I Hear You Knocking" to the top of the UK charts and was the first to record Elvis Costello's "Girls Talk."

Graham Nash

Graham NashSongwriter Interviews

Graham Nash tells the stories behind some of his famous songs and photos, and is asked about "yacht rock" for the first time.

Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple Pilots

Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple PilotsSongwriter Interviews

Stone Temple Pilots bass player Robert DeLeo names the songs that have most connected with fans and tells the stories behind tracks from their Tiny Music album.

David Bowie Lyrics Quiz

David Bowie Lyrics QuizMusic Quiz

How well do you know your David Bowie lyrics? Take this quiz to find out.

Dennis DeYoung

Dennis DeYoungSongwriter Interviews

Dennis DeYoung explains why "Mr. Roboto" is the defining Styx song, and what the "gathering of angels" represents in "Come Sail Away."

16 Songs With a Heartbeat

16 Songs With a HeartbeatSong Writing

We've heard of artists putting their hearts into their music, but some take it literally.