The Lightning Express Lyrics and chords by Seamus Moore

A song about a boy going home to see his mother one last time before she dies, with no money in his pocket for the journey on the train. Also recorded by The Elverly Brothers, Irish Country singer Lisa McHugh, Billie Joe And Norah and Simon and Garfunkel.Lisa McHugh also sang God's Plan song by Derek Ryan which went on to become one of the most famous songs on this website.

The lightning express at the depot stood grand
And started out on it's way.
All of the pasengers gathered on board
They seemed to be happy and gay.
One little boy who sat by himself,
Was reading a letter he had,
You could plainly tell by the look on his face
That the contents of it made him sad.
A stern old conductor then started his rounds,
Taking tickets from every one there.
Finally reaching the side of the boy.
He grumbly demanded his fare.
I have no ticket the boy then replied
But I'll pay you back some day,
Then I'll put you off at the first stop we make,
But he stopped when he heard the boy say.

Please mister come daughter, 
don't put me off this train,
The best friend I have in this world sir,
is waiting for me in pain
Expecting to die any moment 
and may not live through the day.
I want to reach home and kiss mother goodbye
Before God takes her away.

A girl sitting near was heard to explain,
If you put him off it's a shame.
Taking his hand the collection she made
The boy's way was paid on the train,
I'm obliged to you miss for you're kindness to me
You're welcome now never fear
Each time the conductor he passed through the car
The boy's words would ring in his ear.

Please mister come daughter, 
don't put me off this train,
The best friend I have in this world sir,
is waiting for me in pain
Expecting to die any moment 
and may not live through the day.
I want to reach home and kiss mother goodbye
Before God takes her away.

The Guitar Chords
The (G) lightning express at the (C) depot stood (G) grand
 And started out on it's (D) way.
 (G) All of the passengers (C) gathered on (G) board
 They seemed to be happy and (D) gay.
 One little boy who (C) sat by him(G)self,
 Was reading a letter he (D) had,
 You (G) could plainly tell by the (C) look on his (G) face
 That the (C) contents of (D) it made him (G) sad.
 
A stern old conductor then started his rounds,
 Taking tickets from every one there.
 Finally reaching the side of the boy.
 He grumbly demanded his fare.
 I have no ticket the boy then replied
 But I'll pay you back some day,
 Then I'll put you off at the first stop we make,
 But he stopped when he heard the boy say.

 (G) Please mister Con(C)duc(G)tor                                                                                 
 don't put me off this (D) train,
 The (G) best friend I have in this (C) world (G) sir, 
 is waiting for me in (D) pain
 Ex(G)pecting to die any (C) mo(G)ment 
 and may not live through the (D) day.
 I (G) want to reach home and kiss (C) mother good(G)bye
 Before God (D) takes her a(G)way.