[INTRO — 1949 HAVANA STATION, MIDNIGHT] [Two metallic train clicks] [Upright bass slides down] [Muted trumpet: three lonely notes] [Subtle continuous 528 Hz tonal bed] [Soft Cuban tres guitar, bolero rhythm] [Male — mature smoky baritone] The clock above the ticket man Was five minutes past twelve, Had a photograph inside my coat And a story I could never tell. I bought myself a one-way ride, A second-class escape, Then saw a little white silk dress Disappear through number eight. [VERSE 1 — MALE, BLUES SWAGGER] Well, I owed her seven Sundays, And a hundred Friday nights, Three apologies I never made, And one I couldn't write. Had a pocket full of promises, A suitcase full of shame, Then the whistle blew at midnight And somebody called her name. [TRAIN WHEELS — CLICK-CLICK] [Muted trumpet answers] [PRE-CHORUS — MALE] I said, "Conductor, hold that engine, There's a woman I must see!" He said, "Son, that train ain't stopping For a fool's emergency!" [CHORUS — CUBAN SON MEETS JUMP BLUES] Oh, twelve-oh-five! Rolling out alive! Got a pocket full of yesterday And a ticket for tonight. One more mile, One more turn, Some hearts leave, Some hearts learn! Oh, twelve-oh-five, You can't stop a life Just because you changed your mind! [INSTRUMENTAL — TRES GUITAR AND MUTED TRUMPET] [VERSE 2 — FEMALE CONTRALTO, SLY AND CONFIDENT] I saw him through the window With that sorry little grin, Same old man, same old story, Same old "Let me in." I had waited through the winters, Through the summers, through the rain, Now a band in Santa Clara Wants me singing every day. They heard me down in Vedado, Where I sang behind the bar, Said, "Lady, there's a microphone And your name up on the card." I packed my mother's earrings And my favorite satin shoes, I didn't board that midnight train With a single thing to prove. [PRE-CHORUS — FEMALE] He came running down the carriage, Said, "I finally understand!" I said, "Darling, that's impressive, But I already made my plans!" [CHORUS — FEMALE LEAD, MALE ANSWERING] [Female] Oh, twelve-oh-five! [Male] Rolling out alive! [Female] I got tomorrow in my suitcase! [Male] And I got yesterday tonight! [Female] One more mile! [Male] One more turn! [Female] Some hearts leave! [Male] Some hearts learn! [Both] Oh, twelve-oh-five, You can't stop a life Just because you changed your mind! [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK — FAST CUBAN SON] [Claves, bongos and upright bass] [Tres guitar solo] [Muted trumpet exchanges phrases with tenor sax] [Train-wheel clicks lock into the groove] [Boogie piano enters] [BRIDGE — TRAIN SLOWS, BOLERO RETURNS] [Male — intimate, nearly whispered singing] I said, "Maybe I could follow, Maybe we could start anew." [Female — tender but firm] "You can take this train to somewhere, But you can't make me your rescue." [Male] "I thought I came to find you." [Female] "Maybe find yourself instead." [Male] "Is there any room beside you?" [Female] "There's a whole wide world ahead." [One beat of silence] [Train whistle, distant] [FINAL CHORUS — FULL BAND, BRASS, HANDCLAPS] [Female] Oh, twelve-oh-five! I'm finally feeling alive! Got tomorrow in my suitcase And the whole world in my sight! [Male] One more mile! One more turn! Some things lost, Some lessons learned! [Both] Oh, twelve-oh-five, You can't stop a life Just because you changed your mind! [FINAL VAMP — SWINGING SON BLUES] [Crowd] Hey! Hey! Twelve-oh-five! Hey! Hey! Rolling out alive! [Female] I got a song to sing! [Male] I got a road to ride! [Both] And the world keeps turning On the twelve-oh-five! [OUTRO — TRAIN BRAKES, MUSIC DROPS] [Conductor — distant male voice] Santa Clara! Next stop! [Male — quietly] Well... that's your station. [Female — sung softly] That's my stage. [Three muted trumpet notes] [Two train-wheel clicks] [END]
