Orphan Train
Once I had a darling mother, though I can't recall her name.
I had a baby brother who I'll never see again.
For the Children's Home is sending us out on the Orphan Train
To try to find someone to take us in,
chorus:
Take us in, we have rode the Orphan Train.
Take us in, we need a home, we need a name.
Take us in, oh won't you be our kin.
We are looking for someone to take us in.
I have stolen from the poorbox, I've begged the city streets.
I've swabbed the bars and poolrooms for a little bite to eat.
In my daddy's old green jacket and these rags upon my feet,
I've been looking for someone to take me in.
The Children's Home they gathered us, me and all the rest.
They taught us to sit quietly until the food was blest.
Then they put us on the Orphan Train and sent us way out West,
To try to find someone to take us in.
The farmers and their families they came from miles around.
We lined up on the platform of the station in each town.
And one by one we parted like some living lost-and-found,
And one by one we all were taken in.
Now there's many a fine doctor or a teacher in your school.
There's many a good preacher who can teach the Golden Rule.
Who started out an orphan sleeping in the freezing rain,
Whose life began out on the Orphan Train.
copyright Utah Phillips
Once I had a darling mother, though I can't recall her name.
I had a baby brother who I'll never see again.
For the Children's Home is sending us out on the Orphan Train
To try to find someone to take us in,
chorus:
Take us in, we have rode the Orphan Train.
Take us in, we need a home, we need a name.
Take us in, oh won't you be our kin.
We are looking for someone to take us in.
I have stolen from the poorbox, I've begged the city streets.
I've swabbed the bars and poolrooms for a little bite to eat.
In my daddy's old green jacket and these rags upon my feet,
I've been looking for someone to take me in.
The Children's Home they gathered us, me and all the rest.
They taught us to sit quietly until the food was blest.
Then they put us on the Orphan Train and sent us way out West,
To try to find someone to take us in.
The farmers and their families they came from miles around.
We lined up on the platform of the station in each town.
And one by one we parted like some living lost-and-found,
And one by one we all were taken in.
Now there's many a fine doctor or a teacher in your school.
There's many a good preacher who can teach the Golden Rule.
Who started out an orphan sleeping in the freezing rain,
Whose life began out on the Orphan Train.
copyright Utah Phillips
Performed by Carla Eskelsen