Well lightning struck at midnight with the thunder and the rain My sleep was interrupted by the rhythm of a train I asked of the conductor where this old train was bound He punched my ticket then he whispered, "Memphis Town" But there ain't no train to Memphis anymore You've got to take the highway when you go Well them rusty tracks from Nashville Lay beside that stretch of road But there ain't no train to Memphis any more Well I pinched myself and crossed my heart to see if it was real Or was I just imagining the grinding of the wheels I swore I heard that whistle and the clic-kity clack As I rode that phantom streamline on a west bound track Because there ain't no train to Memphis anymore You've got to take the highway when you go Well them rusty tracks from Nashville Lay beside that stretch of road But there ain't no train to Memphis any more Well we cruised into the delta like we woke up from a dream I felt a bit confused 'cause I was blinded by the steam Well I said, "I come from Nashville and I just got off the train" And that driver looked at me as if he thought I was insane Because there ain't no train to Memphis anymore You've got to take the highway when you go Well them rusty tracks from Nashville Lay beside that stretch of road But there ain't no train to Memphis any more