Son House: Empire State
Empire State
Son House
I went down to the station I leaned up against the door.
I went down to the station and leaned up against the door.
I know that Empire State anytime I hear it blow.
Well, I asked the depot agent, ‘Let me ride the blinds?’
I asked the depot agent, please let me ride the blinds.
He say, “I wouldn’t mind it, son…” “But this Empire State ain’t mine.”
He say that Empire State runs on Eastern runs on Eastern Eastern Time.
The Empire State, she runs on Eastern Time. She’s the rollinest baby on the New York Central Line.
Well, it was a mean ol’ Fireman cruel engine cruel engine Engineer.
It was a mean ol’ Fireman and a cruel ol’ Engineer. They took my woman away and left po’ me standing here.
Yes, the Engineer blowed the whistle Fireman rung Fireman rung Rung the bell.
The Engineer blowed the whistle. The Fireman rung the bell. My woman’s on board. She’s waving back, “Fare you well…”
Well, I’m gon’ tell y’all what a low-down train low-down train will do.
I’m gonna tell ya what a low down train will do…
It’ll take your woman away and chuck back smoke at you.
You wanna get over to Chicago? You wanna get over You wanna get over get over quick
You wanna go to Chicago You better get over quick.
Catch that Empire State and you soon get your business fixed.