Opium Train

from Satyr's Day Parade by Robert James

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about

Opium Train. Back in Junior High this was a short story. It's a lot of fun opening up the vault. For the life of me I can't remember how the story ended. However, a sixty minute song is not required in this day and age. Hence the condensed version. The alternate version, Opium Train (Trail Mix) is exactly that. Including sparse acoustic guitar. My white Gretsch 12-string was in the shop so I ended up using the Ovation 12-string. And I wasn’t sure the Gretsch would be finished in time. This was the last song to be finished. Recording wise. Even during mixdown, last minute Spanish style guitar runs (as I perceive them). And I cheated. Not sure how many girls names rhyme with train. More homework? Let’s see, just for a moment. Elaine, Lorraine, Charmaine .. could there be another? Oh yeah .. Jane. Jane is a new addition to the song. Never dated a girl named Jane. This is my Arabian Nights of the Round Table .. it’s a fable. After all, what do you expect from a guy who robs an opium train .. for the silver and gold. If a man's gonna go for gold he should have a dream. No matter what. And every man who desires a woman should have his cherished Jane. Every man has his Jane, every Jane has her Tarzan .. fair enough. And a man always keep an eye on his inner Tarzan. She is his silver and gold. The kind of woman you name a guitar after. Because you really don’t want to die in the sand … xoRJ

lyrics

Even through sandstorms
We followed the lights
Burning and weaving their way through midnight

And all of the fifty horsemen
That ride with the train
Each of them wishing that it would rain

As the sun climbed higher our throats were fire
The reins burned hot in my hands
The train would snake - find it's way
To waterholes not on the map
We'd conspire by the speck of a fire
Go over it again and again ..
I would die in the sand or have silver and gold for my Jane
Robbing the Opium train - robbing the Opium train ..

The horsemen, they drop like flies
In this sweltering heat -
All of the rest will be slaughtered like sheep

Tonight while they make their camp
Is when we attack
Think of my Jane - no more rehearsing .. no more turning back

As the sun climbed higher our throats were fire
The reins burned hot in my hands
The train would snake - find it's way
To waterholes not on the map
We'd conspire by the speck of a fire
Go over it again and again ..
I would die in the sand or have silver and gold for my Jane
Robbing the Opium train - robbing the Opium train ..

Close my eyes .. mmm .. see my Jane
Going down .. robbing the Opium train
Say a prayer - aw lord, keep me safe
Glory bound .. robbing the Opium train

Robbing the Opium train .. robbing the Opium train
Robbing the Opium train .. Opium train

Lyrics & Music (c)2018 Robert James
Angry Lion Publishing SOCAN/ASCAP
A Division of Horace Media 2018

credits

from Satyr's Day Parade, released June 15, 2018
RJ: Lead Vocals & Acoustic Guitars
Astrid Ash: Percussion
Rhett Black: Drums & Percussion
Beaverdell Humes: Keyboards
Backing Vocals courtesy of CandyLand Glee:
(RJ, Astrid, Beaverdell & Rhett) By hook, crook or chants

Cakes, cookies, sweets & treats: SugarMountain Confectionary
Rhett Black & Beaverdell Humes appear courtesy of
Meet The Blacks and HOH Records.
A division of Horace Media 2018
Special Thanks to Hollis Kinglan and HOH Records
Art Direction and Cover Design: Hirografix
Special Thanks to Mark, Don & Mel @Hirografix
Cover Photo: The Stavely Collection

Recorded & Mixed @CandyLand Recorders. Wetaskiwin, Canada
Produced by Robert James for The Kingsway Group
A division of Horace Media 2018
Lyrics reprinted by permission. Angry Lion Publishing.