From the recording Last Train (Lorelei)
I read a version of this story in the newspaper last year and it just got me. I knew a song was in there. Very happy with how this turned out and I got folk legend Tom Paxton's stamp of approval at Swannanoa Gathering too! chuffed. :)
Lyrics
The Last Train (Lorelei)
By Louise Mosrie/Zoe Cat Music 2016 (BMI)
Ticket in hand
All I own in my bag
Mother’s tears burning my eyes.
Father won’t salute
The men in brown suits
He’s sending me to Amsterdam tonight.
Goodbye Lorelei
Your song won’t haunt me anymore
My (Your) heartache leaves me cold
Goodbye Lorelei
Suitcase waiting by the door
And winter welling in my soul
On the last train before the war.
1939
Climb the hill one last time
All the riverboats safely tied
Near rock Lorelei
Where as the legend goes
A mermaid sings alone
Calling young men to drown in her eyes.
Chorus
Sirens call to men at sea
To wreck themselves against the shoals.
Drunk on lies till it’s much too late
To save their souls.
It’s 80 years since then.
Never saw my family again, but
I made a good life in St. Paul
My daughter Lorelei
She keeps vigil by my side
There, I hear the whistle now - like an old friend come to call…
Goodbye Lorelei
Your song will haunt me ever more
But this world leaves me cold
Goodbye Lorelei
Suitcase waiting by the door
And winter close against my soul
On the last train before the war
On the last train
On the last train….