Indian Train Lyrics
Andrew DurandIndian Train
[ELMER]That Indian train is filled with money
It's harvest time for you and me
We'll climb right in, like bears to honey
And all that we leave is the empty tree
All that we leave is the empty tree
That Indian train, with all that money
They won't see a dime if it's up to me
Cause they're rich, we're poor, that just ain't funny
We're takin' it back, let the white man be
Takin' it back, let the white man be
That Indian train comes early mornin'
Gotta get there first to wave her down
With rifles raised, we'll give no warnin'
Cause the law don't reach this far from town
The law don't reach this far from town
[ELMER, ERIK, ENSEMBLE, & BANDLEADER]
That Indian train (That Indian train)
Comes early mornin' (Comes early mornin')
Packed to the top with Indian gold
We'll be miles away (We'll be miles away)
When the sun is dawnin' (When the sun is dawnin')
Ten times more than a man can hold
White man's hand in the red man's fold
[ENSEMBLE]
White man, white man's hand!
Chugga-chugga-chugga-chugga-chugga-chugga
White man, white man's hand!
A-ooh!
White man, white man's hand!
Chugga-chugga-chugga-chugga-chugga-chugga
White man, white man's hand!
A-ooh!
Song Overview
Song Credits
- Featuring: Andrew Durand
- Producers: David Yazbek & Dean Sharenow
- Writers: David Yazbek & Erik Della Penna
- Release Date: May 2, 2025
- Album: Dead Outlaw (Original Broadway Cast Recording, Part 1)
- Track #: 4
- Genre: Country, Musical Theatre
- Language: English
- Style: Train song, outlaw folk, ensemble-driven
Song Meaning and Annotations
Righteous Robbery and Rolling Vengeance
“Indian Train” roars like a locomotive made of stolen dreams and repressed rage. In this track, Elmer and company aren’t just singing about a heist — they’re singing about justice, wealth redistribution, and frontier revenge served with dust and gunpowder.That Indian train is filled with money / It's harvest time for you and meThis is no quiet theft. It's framed like a biblical reap — a righteous act against colonial greed. The phrase “harvest time” conjures not just food, but retribution.
We're takin' it back, let the white man beA jaw-dropper of a line. Here, the song flips the Western script: instead of white settlers stealing from Indigenous people, Elmer seems to be aligning himself with the oppressed — an ironic twist for a white outlaw. Whether sincere or manipulative, the line stings.
The law don't reach this far from townThis refrain isn’t just context; it’s a manifesto. The characters live in a moral vacuum, a dusty loophole in America’s justice system where might makes right and train robbers write their own commandments.
Packed to the top with Indian gold / Ten times more than a man can holdThis is greed painted as justice. The song text rides the line between Robin Hood romanticism and blunt frontier plunder. The “Indian gold” becomes a symbol — less about literal currency, more about what’s been taken and never returned. Then comes the almost tribal chorus:
White man, white man's hand! / Chugga-chugga-chugga… A-ooh!The pounding rhythm mimics the train itself — industrial, unstoppable. The ensemble chants like a posse-turned-drum-circle, blending protest with primal force. It’s theatre, sure, but it’s also political commentary, disguised as a banger.
Similar Songs
- "Poor Jud is Daid" – *Oklahoma!*
Though stylistically different, both songs tackle themes of violence wrapped in melody. “Poor Jud” is eerie and ironic, much like “Indian Train” disguises its revenge with rhythm. - "The Ballad of Jesse James" – Traditional
An outlaw’s anthem with a mythic tone. “Indian Train” draws from this lineage, but adds a sharper political edge and ensemble-driven fury. - "Wait for Me" – *Hadestown*
The relentless rhythm of “Wait for Me” mirrors the chugging tension of “Indian Train.” Both songs feel like a march toward something — fate, justice, or disaster.
Questions and Answers
- What does “Indian Train” represent in the musical?
- It’s both literal and symbolic — a gold-laden vehicle of colonial wealth and a chance at reclaiming power. For Elmer, it’s an act of resistance and desperation.
- Why reference “the white man” so directly?
- The line challenges historical narratives of conquest. It’s provocative, intentionally flipping roles and interrogating the legacy of theft, land grabs, and racial power.
- Is this song glorifying violence?
- Not quite. It dramatizes it, sure — but more as critique than celebration. It’s theatre with teeth, using rhythm and chorus to spotlight generational injustice.
- What genre does this song reflect?
- It’s a gritty fusion of outlaw country, protest folk, and Broadway stomp. Think Woody Guthrie meets Spaghetti Western meets ensemble showstopper.
- How does it fit within Elmer’s story?
- This marks a turning point — from outcast to avenger. “Indian Train” is Elmer at his most fired up and ideologically unhinged, setting the stage for consequences to come.
Fan and Media Reactions
"It’s like a freight train of fury — and I couldn’t look away." — Critic: MusicalBulletin
"‘Indian Train’ is the first song in a long time that made me feel both pumped and uneasy. That’s powerful theatre." — YouTube User: LocomotiveHeart
"Yazbek turned a train robbery into a revolution. The rhythm alone is a weapon." — BroadwayBreakdown
"It’s catchy in a way that makes you nervous — and that’s exactly the point." — Commenter: SpitshineSaloon
"Train songs have always been about escape. This one’s about payback." — TheatreBlazeReview