The Last Train - Janis Ian

How long, how long has this train been gone?

Was there a man who asked for me?

I thought he’d wait to say so long

I’m later than I meant to be

The station master closed his eyes

Said — my dear, the trains are gone

Though forty years ago this night

The last train left for Viet Nam

She said — my hair is lit with gray

No roses bloom upon my lips

But seems like only yesterday

He graced me with a lover’s kiss

Then in the distance, thunder pealed

A whistle pierced the cricket’s song

And you could see the sparks and the wheels

Of the last train back from Viet Nam

It stopped just long enough to board

And as she ran, time set her free

A young man helped her through the door

And said — I knew you would wait for me

There’s many a young boy who won’t come back

Many a young girl who waits alone

Sometimes they meet on life’s long track

They board that last train and go home