Rolling Western Union
Elton John · Other Songs - Elton John
Lyrics by bernie taupin
Never released
I've served upon this railroad for longer than I know
My father and his father did the same thing long ago
To keep the western union rolling down towards the sea
The benefits of this great line built for you and me
So rolling western union, you can roll on to the sea
Ten thousand miles of beatin' steel has made a man out of me
In every state I've driven home a rivet with my hands
Oh it's rolling western union rolling onward, onward through our land
It's friends of mine who died upon the building of this line
Irishmen and chinamen and some from the british isles
I've even seen the convicts come to work here for a while
Before the law caught up with them and sent them back to trial
I had a wife while on the job a hundred miles on back
She died in oklahoma and I laid her by the track
All that's left is a wooden cross upright on a mound
And every time the train rolls past, it rumbles in the ground
Rolling Western Union
Elton John's "Rolling Western Union" stands as a poignant exploration of loss and the passage of time, reflecting the artist's signature blend of pop sensibility and emotional depth. Released during a period where John frequently addressed themes of mortality and memory in his work, the track captures the melancholy of sending final messages to the departed. The song's narrative structure mirrors the journey of grief, utilizing the metaphor of a telegram to convey urgent, unspoken emotions. As part of John's broader catalog of ballads, it exemplifies his ability to craft accessible yet deeply personal storytelling that resonates with listeners facing similar emotional landscapes. The recording showcases his characteristic vocal delivery, layered with orchestral arrangements that elevate the song's dramatic potential without overshadowing its intimate core.