Peace Train History
"Peace Train" (purchase/download) originally appeared on Cat Stevens' 1971 album Teaser and the Firecat (compare prices). It was a Top 10 hit for Stevens in the year of the album's release, peaking at number seven on the Billboard chart. In addition to many versions by Cat Stevens (who has since pursued a largely spritual path and changed his named to Yusuf Islam), "Peace Train" has also been recorded by Dolly Parton, Richie Havens, 10,000 Maniacs, and numerous other artists.
Peace Train Lyrics
The lyrics to "Peace Train" talk about coming out of a war-torn world together on a quest for peace. Although the tune was written and released in the thick of the Vietnam War era, the lyrics ring just as true these days as they did nearly 40 years ago. They talk about the power of community and getting together to make peace regardless of what's going on around us.
Get your bags together, go bring your good friends too
Cause its getting nearer, it soon will be with you
Now come and join the living, its not so far from you
And its getting nearer, soon it will all be true
Now Ive been crying lately, thinking about the world as it is
Why must we go on hating, why cant we live in bliss
Cause out on the edge of darkness, there rides a peace train
Oh peace train take this country, come take me home again
Full lyrics for "Peace Train"
