My Gen X Playlist: Peace Train – 10,000 Maniacs

My adventures in aging continues…

Oh man. I had a pre-senior moment. I couldn’t remember my phone number. And it’s not like it’s a new one. I’ve had the same number for twenty years. If you were to look at my actual number, it’s a pretty easy one to remember. There are only a few unique numbers.

In my defense, I remembered the last four, I was just temporarily cloudy on the first three. Is that really a defense? Maybe not. I’m just trying to make myself feel better.

I sometimes forget my zip code. Well, not entirely. Just the last two digits. Same phenomena as my phone number glitch. I’ve lived at this address for six years so I can’t use newness as an excuse.

I may need to implement extreme measures and write my name, number and address on my clothing in indelible ink. If someone finds me wandering aimlessly in the neighborhood, they can kindly help me find my way home. I hope it never comes to that.

Am I old? Have I boarded that train already?

Cat Stevens released Peace Train back in 1971. I was vaguely familiar with it even though I can’t recall ever listening to it. Maybe there was a flash on the radio. I became more familiar with it from the 10,000 Maniacs cover from the In My Tribe album. This song seemed to match Natalie Merchant’s musical playbook.

This became a hippie anthem, often used by protesters to spread a message of peace. Unlike many protest songs, there’s no political bent to it, and it’s relentlessly hopeful, with Stevens “thinking about the good things to come.” Who wouldn’t want to ride this train?

Songfacts

I like the hopeful message of the song. And maybe that’s how I should view moving from one season of life to another. Enjoy the ride while I can and accept any kindness along the way.

Now I’ve been smiling lately
Thinkin’ about the good things to come
And I believe it could be
Something good has begun

–

For a complete playlist, please click here.

For the Spotify playlist, please click here.

Now I've been happy lately, thinking about the good things to come
And I believe it could be, something good has begun

I've been smiling lately, dreaming about the world as one
And I believe it could be, something good is bound to come

For out on the edge of darkness, there rides a peace train
Peace train take this country, come take me home again

Peace train sounding louder
Ride on the peace train
Come on the peace train
Peace train is a holy roller
Everyone jump upon the peace train
This is the peace train

Get your bags together, come bring your good friends too
Because it's getting nearer, soon it will be with you

Come and join the living, it's not so far from you
And it's getting nearer, soon it will all be true

Peace train sounding louder
Ride on the peace train
Come on the peace train

I've been crying lately, thinking about the world as it is
Why must we go on hating, why can't we live in bliss

For out on the edge of darkness, there rides a peace train
Peace train take this country, come take me home again

Peace train sounding louder
Ride on the peace train
Come on the peace train
Peace train is a holy roller
Everyone jump upon the peace train
This is the peace train
Come on the peace train
Come on come on, come on
the peace train