I'd love to hear a steam train in the night
captivating with its unseen romance
in the deepest dark or fast fading light,

raising my slumbers to wondering heights
darkness and silence by magic enhanced
I'd love to hear a train steam in the night,

to marvel at its smooth rocketing might
majestic and stately unseen advance
in the deepest dark or fast fading light,

what destinations such movements delight
my thoughts in childhood such sounds these enhance
I'd love to hear again trains steam at night,

imaged it speeding my thoughts to free flight
delivering mail to cottage and manse
in the deepest dark or fast fading light,

carrying me to within childhood's sight
steaming receding into time distant,
I'd love to hear again trains steam at night
in this near dark of my fast fading light.