"I Won't Give Up My Train" by Merle Haggard tells the story of a train conductor who is torn between his love for his wife and his passion for his job on the rails. In the lyrics, he describes how he always arrives early in Memphis, where his wife comes to meet him. However, he is constantly on the move because of his job and must prioritize his work, even if it means missing important moments in his family's life. The narrator's wife is pregnant, and he acknowledges that she needs him, but he can't seem to leave his job. He feels the pull of the rails and the freedom that comes with train travel. He loves his wife, but he also loves his train. The last verse describes how the baby is born while the narrator is away in Chicago. Despite feeling lonely at times due to his job, he knows that he can't give up his passion for trains. The song's refrain emphasizes the narrator's passion, stating that even though he loves his wife, he won't give up his train. Overall, "I Won't Give Up My Train" is a song about the struggle to balance one's personal life with a demanding job/passion. The lyrics convey the difficulties of being away from loved ones for long periods of time and the importance of following one's dreams, even if it means making sacrifices.
