[Intro] [Whispered] Tickets checked. Doors shut. No one's getting off. [Verse 1] Steel wheels chew the midnight line Red lamps blink in crooked time Doors clap shut—now bite your tongue The engine laughs; the ride's begun [Chorus] Round and round, the iron rings Clawing sparks from everything All aboard—hold tight, hold fast This train eats miles and spits them past [Verse 2] Wipers slash the window black Signals wink, then crack, then crack Whistle splits the brittle air Cold hands grip the rail in there [Whispered] Hear that bell? It knows your name. [Chorus] Round and round, the iron rings Clawing sparks from everything All aboard—hold tight, hold fast This train eats miles and spits them past [Breakdown] Stop! [Silence] Go! Kick the door—let the whole car shake Stop! [Whispered] Too late. Go! No brakes left to take [Verse 3] Passengers bounce, knees collide Little cries ride side by side Mothers hush; the fathers grin The painted conductor waves us in [Bridge] Chug-chug, teeth on steel Choo-choo, no appeal Blink-blink, trackside eyes Swish-swish, the black glass flies [Final Chorus] Round and round, the iron rings Clawing sparks from everything All aboard—hold tight, hold fast This train eats miles and spits them past [Outro] [Spooky carnival groove] Step right up, the ride is through One last bow, then choo-choo-choo [Whispered] Next stop… wherever you are.
