Spanish train    (video)    (intro)

 

    Dm ~

 

                       Dm              

A. There's a Spanish train that runs between  

Bb

    Quadalquivir and old Saville,

C

    and at dead of night the whistle blows,

                        A7   - - - - - - - - -   Dm

    and people hear she's running still.

 

                             Dm                

B . And then they hush their children back to sleep,

    Bb

    lock the doors, upstairs they creep,

         C

    for it is said that the souls of the dead

                 A7   - - - - - - - - -   Dm

    fill that train ten thousand deep!

 

                Dm                                            Bb      C       Dm

1. Well, a railwayman lay dying with his people by his side,

                                                       Bb                       A7

    his family were crying, knelt in prayer before he died.

             Bb                               C         

    But above his head just a-waiting for the dead,

                   A7                                   Dm

    was the Devil with a twinkle in his eye,

               Bb                                               C            

    "Well God's not around and look what I've found :    

C   - - - - - - -  Dm

    This one's mine !"

 

             Dm                                                    Bb         C        Dm

2. Just then the Lord himself appeared in a blinding flash of light,

                                                             Bb                        A7

    and shouted at the devil, "Get thee hence to endless night !"

                  Bb                                            C

    But the Devil just grinned and said, "I may have sinned,

                      A7                               Dm

    but there's no need to push me around,

                   Bb                                     C       C  - - - - - - - - - -  Dm

    I got him first, so you can do your worst, he's going underground !"

 

                 Dm                                                                   Bb    C         Dm

3. "Well I think I'll give you one more chance," said the Devil with a smile,

                                                                Bb                    A7

    "So throw away that stupid lance, it's really not your style",

  Bb                           C                                    A7                             Dm

"Joker is the name, poker is the game, we'll play right here on this bed,

             Bb                                          C            - C  - - - - - - - - - - -   Dm

    and then we'll bet for the biggest stakes yet,      the souls of the dead!"

 

                       Bb            C                          Dm   

    And I said "Look out, Lord, he's going to win,

           Bb                             C                 Dm

    the sun is down and the night is riding in.

             Bb                     A7              Dm                    Gm

    That train is dead on time, many souls are on the line.

           Bb     - C  - - - - - - -   Dm

    oh, Lord,        he's gonna win!"

 

                  Dm

4. Well the railway man he cut the cards

                 Bb                          C        Dm

    and he dealt them each a hand of five

 

    And for the Lord he was praying hard

                Bb                         A7

    or that train he'd have to drive.

 

                    Bb                          C

    Well, the Devil he had three aces and a king,

                   A7                                       Dm

    and the Lord, he was running for a straight,

                          Bb                                                  C       

    He had the queen and the knave and nine and ten of spades,

C   - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  Dm

    all he needed was the eight.

 

                         Dm

5. And then the Lord he called for one more card,

                 Bb           C         Dm

    but he drew the diamond eight,

 

    And the Devil said to the son of God,

           Bb                           A7

    "I believe you've got it straight.

 

          Bb                            C

    So deal me one for the time has come

                   A7                               Dm

    to see who'll be the king of this place,

          Bb                                C

    But as he spoke, from beneath his cloak,

C   - - - - - - - - - - - -    Dm

    he slipped another ace !

 

             Dm

5. Ten thousand souls was the opening bid,

                Bb                    C    Dm

    and it soon went up to fifty-nine,

 

    but the Lord didn't see what the Devil did,

                           Bb                A7

    and he said, "that suits me fine",

 

                          Bb           C

    "I'll raise you high to a hundred and five,

               A7                                  Dm

    and forever put an end to your sins."

                  Bb                                 C    - C    - - - - - -  Dm

    But the Devil let out a mighty shout,        "My hand wins !"

 

                       Bb           C                       Dm

    And I said "Lord, oh Lord, you let him win,

           Bb                             C                 Dm

    the sun is down and the night is riding in.

             Bb                     A7               Dm                   Gm

    That train is dead on time, many souls are on the line,

           Bb     - C   - - - - - - -    Dm     ~

    oh Lord,         don't let him win."

 

                       Dm

C. Well, that Spanish train still runs between,

Bb

    Quadalquivir and old Saville.

                   C

    And at dead of night the whistle blows,

                        A7   - - - - - - - - -   Dm

    and people hear she's running still.

 

           Dm

D. And far away in some recess

           Bb

    the Lord and the Devil are now playing chess.

                      C

    The Devil still cheats and wins more souls,

            A7                             - - - - - - - - - - - -   Dm

    and as for the Lord, well, he's just doing his best.

 

                       Bb           C                          Dm

    And I said "Lord, oh Lord, you've got to win,

           Bb                             C                 Dm

    the sun is down and the night is riding in.

             Bb                  A7                Dm                     Gm

    That train is still on time, oh, my soul is down the line,

           Bb     - C  - - - - - - - -   Dm

    oh Lord,         you've got to win."

 

    (Chris de Burgh)