Train Time...

​Song info:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_Black_Train_(song)

Video:  www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5y2a16aF58​

​"Long Black Train"

There's a long black train comin' down the line,
Feeding off the souls that are lost and cryin'.
Rails of sin, only evil remains.
Watch out, brother, for that long black train.
Look to the heaven's, you can look to the sky.
You can find redemption staring back into your eyes.
There is protection and there's peace the same:
Burnin' your ticket for that long black train.

'Cause there's victory in the Lord, I say.
Victory in the Lord.
Cling to the Father and his Holy name,
And don't go ridin' on that long black train.

There's an engineer on that long black train,
Makin' you wonder if the ride is worth the pain.
He's just a-waitin' on your heart to say:
"Let me ride on that long black train."

But you know there's victory in the Lord, I say.
Victory in the Lord.
Cling to the Father and his Holy name,
And don't go ridin' on that long black train.

Well, I can hear the whistle from a mile away.
It sounds so good but I must stay away.
That train is a beauty makin' everybody stare,
But its only destination is the middle of nowhere.

But you know there's victory in the Lord, I say.
Victory in the Lord.
Cling to the Father and his Holy name,
And don't go ridin' on that long black train.

I said cling to the Father and his Holy name,
And don't go ridin' on that long black train.

Yeah, watch out brother for that long black train.
That devil's drivin' that long black train.

Now that you have read the description and watched the video, I will just say this.  If you are interested in the backstory, check out this link.

Not to be preachy here, but I have always thought of this song as sort of a suicide prevention song.  If you or someone you know is struggling with suicide or suicidal tendencies, please get them some help.  You can follow these directions:

Call the toll-free National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL) at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The service is available to everyone. The deaf and hard of hearing can contact the Lifeline via TTY at 1-800-799-4889. All calls are confidential. Contact social media outlets directly if you are concerned about a friend’s social media updates or dial 911 in an emergency.  Learn more on the NSPL’s website.

One frequently cited reason that people commit suicide is often that they think things will be better for those left behind.  Someone may think, literally, they would be better off dead.  This is NOT TRUE.  Those you leave behind suffer much worse.  A suicidal person may think that those left behind will benefit from the things they will leave behind in their will, or a life insurance policy.  I can tell you, the law does not work this way.  In many cases, the life insurance policy, or other estate planning tools, may be voided or otherwise impacted by a suicide to the point where there is nothing left behind from the suicidal person's estate.  Sad.

This is a difficult topic to write about, I understand that.  I wanted to clear up some misconceptions about supposed "benefits" of suicide for those left behind. In most cases, there is a LOSS of financial assets when someone commits suicide vs passing naturally...  This makes the suicidal person's death doubly hurtful to those left behind.  Again, if you need help in this area call the number(s) listed above.