Lyrics: The Diplomat

He slowly raised the trembling hand
Gently brushed the silver strand
Of hair from his wrinkled brow
Lips that used to talk so free
The eyes that used to beckon me
Were silent now

He listens to a passin' train
Gives into an old familiar pain
Familiar pain
They retired him twenty years ago
Gave him a watch made of gold
And took his train

His woman's name was Margaret
He loved her but she went away
And left his heart undone
He called this train the Diplomat
She's the only other lady that he ever loved
Some forty years he made the steam

From Memphis down to New Orleans
But now he's off the line
And the closest that he ever gets to Margaret
Or the Diplomat is in his mind

He said take me to the station
The Diplomat is bringing Margaret home
Can't you hear that whistle blowing
They both know I've been alone for much too long

Let's not keep 'em waitin'
We'll talk about the good times later on
Right now take me to the station
The Diplomat is bringing Margaret home

They say he talks crazy when he sees the passin' train
Or when he hears Margaret's name
But the only things he ever loved he lost before
He loved enough he's not to blame

So who's to say he's right or wrong
Reachin' out and hangin' on
To dreams he can't let go
He threw the watch of gold away
But keeps tracks of memories
Where he belongs

He said take me to the station
The Diplomat is bringing Margaret home
Can't you hear that whistle blowing
They both know I've been alone for much too long

They retired him twenty years ago
Gave him a watch made of gold
And took daddy's train