The song Train Whistle Blues by Merle Haggard is about the sadness and frustration of a man who has been left by his woman. The lyrics suggest that when a woman is upset, she may cry and hang her head, but when a man is upset, he may grab a train and ride away from his troubles. The singer expresses his confusion and hurt over why his woman would treat him so poorly, but ultimately decides that if she doesn't want him, he doesn't want her either. He is so down and out that even the sight of a train, with its black smoke and haunting whistle, feels like a symbol of his despair. The use of the yodeling in the song provides a haunting echo of the train whistle, adding to the sense of desolation and sadness. Overall, Train Whistle Blues is a classic country song about heartbreak and the search for escape, which captures the spirit of the genre and the emotions of its listeners.
