This Train

Trains have long been a powerful symbol in folk music, representing journeys, transformation, and the afterlife. Our rendition of This Train, inspired by Big Bill Broonzy’s influential version, features Gunnar Nelson on fiddle and reflects the timeless connection between music and storytelling.

Broonzy reimagined this traditional gospel tune with a driving blues rhythm, transforming it into a meditation on moral reckoning and redemption. This song’s persistent imagery of a train bound for glory resonates deeply in the broader tradition of folk music, where trains often carry spiritual meaning.

This Train is part of our exploration of the “afterlife train” in folk music, alongside songs like Little Black Train (Trad) and Tom Waits’ Down There by the Train. These pieces remind us of music’s unique ability to bridge the earthly and the eternal.

We hope this performance takes you on that journey. Let us know in the comments how this song speaks to you!