Meaning of "Freight Train Blues" by Bob Dylan

In "Freight Train Blues," Bob Dylan captures the essence of a life intertwined with the sights and sounds of the railroad industry. The speaker's connection to the trains symbolizes a deep-rooted sense of longing and restlessness, emphasizing the transient nature of their existence. The speaker's family history, with their father as a fireman and mother's connection to an engineer, highlights the generational ties to the railroad and the inevitability of this life path. The repetition of having the "freight train blues" in the bottom of their "rambling shoes" reflects a sense of being constantly on the move, never able to settle down or find true peace. The speaker finds solace in the sound of a southbound train, hinting at a desire to escape their current circumstances, yet acknowledging the futility of trying to outrun the "freight train blues."