The song "Coming And The Going Of The Trains" by Merle Haggard tells of different experiences and perspectives with regards to trains. The song starts with the lament of an Indian whose land was taken by white men who arrived via the trains. This personal loss fuels his anger whenever he hears the approach of these trains. The song then shifts to a different time and setting, the year 1869, when the notorious outlaw Jesse James was on the run. The narrator's memory of riding alongside Jesse James is intertwined with the thrill of waiting for the train to arrive and depart. The train serves both as a means of escape for the outlaws and a symbol of a new era that is dawning. The song then moves to a third perspective, that of a farmer in west Texas who suffers from drought and needs water for his crops. The arrival of the train that brings the much-needed water is a blessing, and the narrator expresses gratitude for its timely intervention. The song then turns to the experience of a prisoner who hears the sounds of the train passing by at night, marking the passage of time. For him, the train offers a brief reminder of the world outside his prison cell and a comforting reassurance of regularity and continuity. The final perspective is that of an aging train engineer who loves his job but is pushed out by the faster and more efficient modes of transportation. He takes solace in his cabin at the crossing and watches the trains go by, relishing in the familiar rhythm and sound that represents his life's work. However, he is aware that, in the end, the iron horses will be replaced, and the railroad will cease to exist. Overall, the song "Coming And The Going Of The Trains" captures the different ways in which trains evoke feelings of nostalgia, longing, and loss, serving as a symbol of a rapidly changing world.
