DIPLOMAT

He slowly raised the trembling hand

Gently brushed the silver strand of hair from his wrinkled brow

Lips that used to talk so free the eyes that used to beckon me were silent now

He listens to a passin' train gives into an old familiar pain familiar pain

They retired him twenty years ago gave him a watch made of gold and took his train

His woman's name was Margaret

He loved her but she went away and left his heart undone

He called this train the Diplomat she's the only other lady that he ever loved

Some forty years he made the steam

From Memphis down to New Orleans but now he's off the line

And the closest that he ever gets Margaret or the Diplomat is in his mind

He siad take me to the station the Diplomat is bringing Margaret home

Can't you hear that whistle blowing they both know I've been alone for much too long

Let's not keep 'em waitin' we'll talk about the good times later on

Right now take me to the station the Diplomat is bringing Margaret home

They say he talks crazy when

He sees the passin' train or when he hears Margaret's name

But the only things he ever loved he lost before he loved enough he's not to blame

So who's to say he's right or wrong

Reachin' out and hangin' on to dreams he can't let go

He threw the watch of gold away but keeps tracks of memories where he belongs

He siad take me to the station...

They retired him twenty years ago gave him a watch made of gold

And took daddy's train