(Waiting for) the Ghost Train

About (Waiting for) the Ghost Train

"(Waiting For) The Ghost-Train" is a single by Madness. Released in 1986 shortly after the band announced they were to split, it was their last single prior to reforming in 1992. It spent nine weeks in the UK charts, peaking at number 18. The song first appeared on an album on the band's 1986's Utter Madness greatest hits compilation, issued one month after its single release. The song was written by Suggs about apartheid in South Africa, with its chorus "It's black and white, don't try to hide it" and the line "The station master's writing with a piece of orange chalk / One hundred cancellations, still no one wants to walk" (in reference to the South African flag). Mike Barson reunited with the other members of the band to record this song, although he did not appear in the music video. A Christmas flexi-disc record containing the 'band demo' of the song was sent out to Madness fan club (M. I. S.) members, featuring farewells and thanks from each member of the band (except Barson). more »

Year:

1986

3:43

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A straw headed woman, and a barrel chested man
A pocket full of posies with a hat brim full of sand
(Ooh ooh) waiting for the train that never comes

A dog chasing the tumbleweeds, across the sandy floor
That drift along the platform, through the ticket office door
(Ooh ooh) waiting for the train that never comes
(Ooh ooh ooh ooh) waiting for the train that never comes

But don't tell me there's nothing coming, you don't fool me
I hear the ghost train rumbling along the tracks - set them free
And I hear them
It's black and white, don't try to hide [x2]

The station master's writing with a piece of orange chalk
A hundred cancellations, still no one wants to walk
Keep the hungry children from the skeleton in the back
Paid to keep an eye out for the Gypsy caravan
(Ooh ooh) waiting for the train that never comes
(Ooh ooh ooh ooh) waiting for the train that never comes

I hear the ghost train rumbling along the tracks - set them free
And I hear them
It's black and white, don't try to hide [x4]
It's black and white (don't try) [x2]
It's black and white, don't try to hide [x2]
And I hear them
It's black and white, don't try to hide [x2]

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Madness

Madness are an English ska band from Camden Town, London, that formed in 1976. One of the most prominent bands of the late 1970s and early 1980s 2 Tone ska revival, they continue to perform with their most recognised line-up of seven members. more »

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