Lord, I’m a Fool for the Lonesome Train (Ben Harper. 2007)

A highly tantalizing holiday taken to writing took its typical course…

• behind closed doors
• windows drawn and close
• my computer
• my thoughts.

What did I accomplish?

• viewed season two of my second favorite television show
• watched a few movies

The good news was, during all that watching, closed-off and isolated, those blues thoughts got time to finally breathe.

The Ben Harper revival.

Some girls can only be loved when they’re chased.

Harper might have paid the price for my pain – though I wasn’t a fan of his performance on Standing in the Shadows of Motown.

But as I slid back into that time period, drew upon those times, dove back into my resources, and stirred it all together, Ben Harper started bubbling to the pop.

During my search, I came across a performance Ben Harper gave with the Innocent Criminals called Live at Twist and Shout Records. Softer and more soulful then when I last left him, this performance sticks into my head.

Especially the song “Fool a Lonesome Train.”

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If you listen to the song and you can’t picture yourself sitting on a deck, rocked back on a chair, sipping a crafted drink from a sparkling glass and tripping into a memory as if,

“Last night is still ringing in my head like that lonesome whistle in the rain” (Harper, 2007)

then you died some time long ago, my friend.

For me, it’s that deck and that chair. Leaned back. So I can place a Martin guitar over my lap and play something soft and slow…

Like “Fool for a Lonesome Train.”

“Fool for a Lonesome Train” – by Ben Harper”
It’s late and I can’t sleep
I’ve made promises that I can’t keep
Cobblestones and broken bones, has a kingdom but he’s got no home
Last night is still ringing in my head like that lonesome whistle in the rain

I’m a fool for a lonesome train
I’m a fool for a lonesome train

The lifetime we’ve left behind with strangers
Promises and lies both have their dangers
I just can’t be wrong enough and I can’t hide for long enough
So far away, but I still feel your pain

I’m a fool for a lonesome train
I’m a fool for a lonesome train
I’d try to say goodbye but I never got your name
I’m a fool for a lonesome train

I’m a fool for a lonesome train
I’m your fool for a lonesome train
I know it sounds crazy but I’m painfully sane
I’m your fool for a lonesome, lonesome, lonesome train

Lyrics to “Fool for a Lonesome Train.”

And for those paying attention at home, the girl mentioned above is referred to as “Gracie,” in the books of blues.

photo credit: Jazmin Million via Flickr

Last updated by Finn at August 9, 2020.