The narrator talks about going to the station to see the Empire State Express, a train that he knows by the way it sounds. He asks to ride but is denied because the train is on a tight schedule. The narrator describes it as the fastest train on the New York Central line, operated by a cruel fireman and low-down engineer who took his woman away while waving goodbye.

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Meaning of "Empire State Express" by Son House


The lyrics of "Empire State Express" by Son House tell a story of loss and longing, using the metaphor of a fast-moving train to represent the inevitability of change and the passing of time. The protagonist's yearning to ride the train and be reunited with his woman, only to be denied by the depot agent, highlights the harsh realities of life's limitations and the inability to control fate. The reference to the mean fireman and low-down engineer stealing his woman suggests a sense of betrayal and heartache, as the narrator is left behind with nothing but memories. The imagery of the train speeding away, leaving behind black smoke, symbolizes the pain and bitterness of being abandoned. Overall, the song explores themes of abandonment, regret, and the fleeting nature of time.