Girl On A Morning Train

[Ray Brookes]

Heading home early one morning after an all-night session in the studio I sat on a commuter train and observed one of the passengers on her way to work ....

Her skin almost translucent
Blond hair and scent of flowers
Faded blue jeans and bangles
Swirling patterns on her blouse
Strokes her phone nonchalantly
Twists her hair in a wistful curl
But me I'm just invisible
To the 21st century girl
On the morning train

Eyes a chestnut brown
Nails painted gothic black
Dreams of mink and sable coats
But carries a plastic anorak
A ring on every finger and thumb
A bracelet of mother of pearl
And I peek surreptitiously
At this 21st century girl.
On the morning train

The here and now orientation
Her precious time of the essence
And I as awkward as a mule
In the aura of her presence
The train now slowing; she now standing
I remain in my own weathered world
Twist my neck to watch her disappear for good
That 21st century girl.
Who was on the morning train

[tonyc]

brilliant piece of work ray , you painted the picture in my mind , and its still there , loved it great vocals harp and guitar work , superb song .....cheers tony cee.

[StephenM]

there was a movie I watched called "Girl On a Train" (I believe it was)....anyway it was about a woman who rode the train daily and would look out the window as she traveled and think about the lives of the people she saw...then she was caught up in a crime as a witness....excellent movie...

I often think about people I see in public, what their lives might be like, what they are like...

another beautiful song Ray....indeed we notice don't we?  How beautiful people are or at least can be...not just looks wise...but personality and spirit...

[hardlock]

Love how you transcend for what seems like the end of the chorus to "On the morning train" - makes me think "oh yeah, NOW it's complete!" Very interesting and a complete masterful piece of music! Well done Ray!

[Hilary]

Always a treat to listen to one of your songs, thanks Ray!

[TPB]

Me I always love a song that tells a story and this one has laid down a painting in my mind excellent song
Tim

[maxit]

I like the song, and the line But me I'm just invisible To the 21st century girl is just, ok that's it! that's how it feels ... great song!

[Greeny]

Totally captivating. The lyric is superb just in word form, but the combination of those words with the sublime fingerpicking and your beautiful storytelling vocal is something very special. Beautifully imagined, played and produced. I'm constantly blown away by what you do.

[DarrenG / The Devil's Toupee]

Another really great song ray, I always love the lyrics you write and way you tell a story in a song.
What can I add that the others haven't already..not a lot. Just a brilliant song. Great music and vocals. I think we've all observed strangers like this and wondered about them..and feeling invisible too sometimes to them.

[Jean Pierre]

but how do you produce so many good compositions?
musically I love the harmonic construction of the instrumental bridge
the story is charming and this girl met in a morning train and of which one falls slightly in love reminds me a very beautiful poem of Antoine Pol (Les passantes) and a beautiful setting in music of Georges Brassens

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhgFxiVmONs


I am glad that this girl of the XXIst century such as you describe her does not carry horrible and exuberant tattoos

PS and Greeny said

with the sublime fingerpicking

...I would love to know how you constructed and recorded this splendid accompaniment, dear Ray