John Cougar Mellencamp's song "Grandma's Theme" is actually a reworked version of the traditional song "The Baggage Coach Ahead." The lyrics tell the story of a young man traveling on a train with a baby in his arms. It is a dark and stormy night, and all the other passengers are trying to sleep. The baby starts crying, causing some of the passengers to become annoyed and ask the young man to make the child stop. They demand that he take the baby to its mother. However, the man sadly explains that the baby's mother is dead in the coach ahead. As the train continues its journey, the young man shares his heartbreaking story with the other passengers. He speaks of his wife, who was faithful and true, and how they had saved up to build a happy life together. Their hopes and dreams were shattered when she passed away, leaving him alone with their baby. Moved by the man's story, the other passengers, who include mothers and wives, offer their assistance and help comfort the baby. The song ends with the man bidding farewell to everyone at the station, and each passenger takes with them the story of the baggage coach ahead. The story portrayed in "Grandma's Theme" is one of sadness, loss, and the compassion of strangers. It highlights the shared human experience of empathy and the power of community in times of sorrow.
