Where have all the cabooses gone,
Red slab sided, cupola, curved roof,
Friendly stove pipe hat, every kids wish,
Moveable tree house clickety-clacking
Cozily rolling across America
Snappy visored cap, brass buttons
Blue coat, wind whipped leaning out
One hand on the stanchion
Waving an all clear lantern, nights shining arc
Then crack, all along the line each
Snapping to attention each car in its turn
With a rattle rattle, huff and puff
Away it roars into childhood.
A memory of something important,
Those years gone like borrowed money
And now the dollars have all been spent
But the secret stays in the heart An ancient fondness now focused
A connection across the years
Tears and a smile for that railroad boy
Where have all the cabooses gone,
Red slab sided, cupola, curved roof,
Friendly stove pipe hat, every kids wish,
Moveable tree house clickety-clacking
Cozily rolling across America
Snappy visored cap, brass buttons
Blue coat, wind whipped leaning out
One hand on the stanchion
Waving an all clear lantern, nights shining arc
Then crack, all along the line each
Snapping to attention each car in its turn
With a rattle rattle, huff and puff
Away it roars into childhood.
A memory of something important,
An ancient fondness now focused
A connection across the years
A tear, a smile for that railroading boy
Those years lavished, gone borrowed money
And now the dollars have all been spent
But the secret stays in the heart of hearts.
Oh, I wish to go back to those days,
To see the world for the first time,
In all its glory, the glory of a life yet to live.
I Saw The Tall, Lone-Star
Walk in the Café-Bar
With Silver, Jingling Spurs
… I Knew, What They Were …
… with Boots, Bluejeans and The Chaps
and Big-Belt-Buckle, Above His Lap
and The Hung-Low-Brim, Cowboy Hat
(just a new type of Visored-Helmet)
Heard that Gentlemanly Courtesy
‘Mam’ … That’s Just Chivalry
And Lasso … instead of a Lance
… but same Skill … Same Bold Stance
His Armor’s, that Shiny Truck
(yeah, They Do Love Their Pick-Ups!)
But, Can Still Ride A Steed
Whenever, They Feel The Need
So, I Know, That’s Not Just A ‘Mister’
‘ That ’ … Is A Dad-Gum’ ‘ Sir ’
Maybe Even A Champion For Right
After All … It Was A Cowboy – Knight …
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