Well lightning struck at midnight with the thunder and the rain
My sleep was interrupted by the rhythm of a train
I asked of the conductor where this old train was bound
He punched my ticket then he whispered, "Memphis Town"
But there ain't no train to Memphis anymore
You've got to take the highway when you go
Well them rusty tracks from Nashville
Lay beside that stretch of road
But there ain't no train to Memphis any more
Well I pinched myself and crossed my heart to see if it was real
Or was I just imagining the grinding of the wheels
I swore I heard that whistle and the clic-kity clack
As I rode that phantom streamline on a west bound track
Because there ain't no train to Memphis anymore
You've got to take the highway when you go
Well them rusty tracks from Nashville
Lay beside that stretch of road
But there ain't no train to Memphis any more
Well we cruised into the delta like we woke up from a dream
I felt a bit confused 'cause I was blinded by the steam
Well I said, "I come from Nashville and I just got off the train"
And that driver looked at me as if he thought I was insane
Because there ain't no train to Memphis anymore
You've got to take the highway when you go
Well them rusty tracks from Nashville
Lay beside that stretch of road
But there ain't no train to Memphis any more
