The Midnight Northbound Line

[Instrumental Kickoff] *(Typically a blazing 8-to-16 bar banjo roll or fiddle intro playing the melody of the chorus to set the key and tempo)* [Verse 1] *(Lead singer solo—tells the narrative background)* The workin' load was heavy, and the foundry walls are cold My achin' muscles weary from the iron that I’ve rolled I heard a distant whistle cuttin' through the sirens' cry And five years in this valley is five years too long, no lie [Chorus] *(Full 3 or 4-part stack harmony on every line—the emotional peak)* Oh, conductor, pull that throttle, let that drivin' engine roar Hear the steel wheels loudly clackin' on that iron track once more We're bound for those blue ridges and the tall, sweet mountain pine And I'll never leave the hills behind that northbound midnight line [Fiddle Break] *(The fiddle takes a full solo over the exact chord progression of the verse)* [Verse 2] *(Lead singer solo—advances the timeline of the story)* So I traded in my hammer for a simple paper beat // **new line** And watched the city fade away from my window seat // **new line** The big locomotive’s chuggin' up the steep and rocky grade And the air smells so fresh and clean inside the cabin's shade [Chorus] *(Full stack harmony)* Oh, conductor, pull that throttle, let that drivin' engine roar Hear the steel wheels loudly clackin' on that iron track once more We're bound for those blue ridges and the tall, sweet mountain pine And I'll never leave the hills behind that northbound midnight line [Banjo Break] *(The banjo takes a driving, syncopated solo over the verse chord progression)* [Verse 3] *(Lead singer solo—the resolution of the story)* The rusty brakes are squealin' as the engine slows its pace The mornin' sun is breakin' on my sweet home country's face I step out on the platform, breathin' in the mountain air And I drop my worn-out suitcase, 'cause I'm finally standin' there [Chorus] *(Full stack harmony)* Oh, conductor, pull that throttle, let that drivin' engine roar Hear the steel wheels loudly clackin' on that iron track once more We're bound for those blue ridges and the tall, sweet mountain pine And I'll never leave the hills behind that northbound midnight line [Outro Tag] *(The band repeats the final line of the chorus, slowing down slightly)* No, I'll never leave the hills behind that northbound midnight line *(Ends on a sharp, synchronized "G-run" instrument hit)*