While no mention is made of the exact kind of train, it is generally understood to mean the Gospel train. This song also has a popular variant which is used in a secular way. In either case it expresses in a very forceful way the importance of meeting the train. In proportion as a picture resembles real life or magnifies that which has been imaged, to that degree does it bring home its truth to the negro's mind. The negro continues to sing of the train on which he is to ride into the Kingdom. Says he: I am talkin' 'bout the same train, Same train that carried my father, _Same train_. Same train that carried my mother, _Same train_, Same train will be back to-morrow, _Same train_. Same train will be here to-morrow, _Same train_, Well you better be ready, _It's the same train_. The "same train" also carried his _brother_, _sister_, _preacher_ and others. But the train which will come back to-morrow will not wait always. One must not only be at the station but must also have a ticket. There is plenty of room, according to the negro's conception, but there is not plenty of time. It would be a wistful negro that looked upon the train pulling out for heaven and he all alone is left behind. He sings, Well you better git yo' ticket, Well you better git yo' ticket, Well you better git yo' ticket, Bye and bye. There's a great day er comin', There's a great day er comin', There's a great day er comin', Bye and bye. For the train it's er comin', For the train it's er comin', For the train it's er comin', Bye and bye. _I am sure God is ready, I am sure God is ready, I am sure God is ready, Bye and bye._ Instead of the chorus just given he often sings: "I sure God am ready," and "I sho' God is ready." With this in view he is willing and glad for the train to come along. If he is ready, all the better for him to be on his journey. So he continues in another song and at another time: If God was to call me I would not care--um-u', For he done move away my fears--um-u'. I'm goin' to heaven, an' I'm goin' fo' long--um-u', All don't see me will hear my song--um-u'. When de gospel train come 'long--um-u', That's the train carry me home--um-u'. Wake up, sinner, you will be too late--um-u', Gospel train done pass yo' gate--um-u'. In the old plantation songs the exhortation was given to "Git on board little children, dere's room for many a mo'." So also they sang: De gospel train's a comin', I hear it jus' at hand, I hear de car wheels rumblin', An' rollin' thru de land. I hear de train a comin', She's comin' round de curve, She's loosened all her steam an' brakes, An' strainin' eb'ry nerve. De fare is cheap an' all can go, De rich an' pore are dere, No second class abord dis train, No difference in de fare.