Little Black Train

This is really neither a hymn nor a gospel song. It's more of a folk song, probably originating in the Appalachian mountains. When I was in college our choir sang a more 'sophisticated' choral arrangement, which is where I first heard the song and learned of the Bible story that is its source. There are actually several different folksong versions of the "black train" metaphor -- Old Black Train, Long Black Train, and others.

Being a folk song, the lyrics are flexible, depending on who is singing it. I have posted three different versions of the lyrics, with links to three different performances of this great old song.

CARTER FAMILY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tvp7VNSdaBQ

CHORUS

There's a little black train a coming

Set your business right

There's a little black train a coming

And it may be here tonight

1

Go tell that ballroom lady

All dressed in the worldly pride

That death's dark train is coming

Prepare to take a ride

2

God sent to Hezekiah

A message from on high

You better set your house in order

For you must surely die

3

He turned to the wall in weeping

We see him here in tears

He got his business fixed all right

God spared him fifteen years

4

We see that train with engine

And one small baggage car

Your idle thoughts and wicked deeds

Will stop at the judgment bar

* * *

From APPALACHIAN ROAD SHOW (not sure who the performers are)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhR8C5TyqPk

1

God sent to Hezekiah

A message from on high

You better set your house in order

For you must surely die

2

He turned to the wall in weeping

We see and hear his tears

He got his business fixed all right

God spared him fifteen years

3

There’s a little black train a comin

Set your business right

There’s a little black train a comin

And it may be here tonight

4

Go tell that ball room lady

All dressed in the worldly pride

That death’s dark train is coming

Prepare to take a ride

5

We see that train with engine

And one small baggage car

Your idle thoughts and wicked deeds

Will stop at the judgment bar

6

That poor young man in darkness

Cares not for the gospel light

Till suddenly he hears the whistle blow

And the little black train in site

7

Oh Lord would you not spare me

I've seen my wicked plight

Have mercy Lord upon me 

Please come and set me right

8

But death had fixed his shackles

Upon his chains so tight

Before he got his business fixed

The train rolled in that night

* * *

Little Black Train

Words and Music Adaptation by Woody Guthrie

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twayP3M3uiU

1

There's a little black train a-comin'

Comin' down the track;

You gotta ride that little black train,

But it ain't a gonna bring you back.

2

You may be a bar-room gambler

And cheat your way through life;

You can't cheat that little black train

Or beat this final ride.

3

You silken bar-room ladies,

Dressed in your worldly pride;

You've gotta ride that little black train

That's comin' in the night.

4

Your million dollar fortune,

Your mansion glittering white;

You can't take it with you

When the train moves in the night.

5

Get ready for your savior,

And fix your business right;

You've got to ride that little black train

That makes this final ride.

6

You silken bar-room ladies,

Dressed in your worldly pride;

You've gotta ride that little black train

That's comin' in the night.

7

You may be a bar-room gambler

And cheat your way through life;

You can't cheat that little black train

Or beat this final ride.

REFRAIN

There's a little black train a-comin'

Comin' down the track;

You gotta ride that little black train,

But it ain't a gonna bring you back.

* * *

After a little more research I found that this song may have an older origin in the Negro culture of the old South. Here is a recording of Rev. J. M. Gates from 1926.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elzhb_LewJA

* * *

Isaiah 38

1 In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came unto him, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live. 2 Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed unto the Lord, 3 And said, Remember now, O Lord, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore. 4 Then came the word of the Lord to Isaiah, saying, 5 Go, and say to Hezekiah, Thus saith the Lord, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will add unto thy days fifteen years.

2 Kings 20

  1 In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live. 2 Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the Lord, saying, 3 I beseech thee, O Lord, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.

  4 And it came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court, that the word of the Lord came to him, saying, 5 Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the Lord, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the Lord. 6 And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake.

  7 And Isaiah said, Take a lump of figs. And they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered. 8 And Hezekiah said unto Isaiah, What shall be the sign that the Lord will heal me, and that I shall go up into the house of the Lord the third day? 9 And Isaiah said, This sign shalt thou have of the Lord, that the Lord will do the thing that he hath spoken: shall the shadow go forward ten degrees, or go back ten degrees? 10 And Hezekiah answered, It is a light thing for the shadow to go down ten degrees: nay, but let the shadow return backward ten degrees. 11 And Isaiah the prophet cried unto the Lord: and he brought the shadow ten degrees backward, by which it had gone down in the dial of Ahaz.