Ride the milk train

[David]

this has probably been asked and answered a hundred times, or possibly it is worse if it doesn't need to be asked because everyone but me knows it---but what does it mean in "Tea and Sympathy" ----to "ride the milk train".

It is one of my many favorite songs, but I just don't understand that line.

Can anyone help?

Thanks

[Jim in Chattanooga, TN]

David,

Although I'm not sure, and Janis usually leaves her lyrics to the interpretation of the listener, I believe the line may have something to do with the play "The Milk Train Doesn't Stop Here Anymore" by Tennessee Williams, which is about a wealthy older woman who cathes the eye of a younger man.

I always thought "Tea & Sympathy" was about an old woman who is recently widowed and tries her best to surround herself with friends or to get back to some kind of a routine to occupy her time but the void is never filled and therefore chooses to end her life to be near her departed in the hereafter.

It's a great song. In fact, I listened to it again last night.

Jim

[Kathleen Brogan]

One of my favorites of all time!

[KarenSews2]

Don'tcha love google?

milk train 
See images of milk train
–noun Informal. a local train running through the early hours of the morning.


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[DaveM]

I've heard insomniacs refer to "hearing the milk train", presumably in the context of the definition Karen found.

Can also recall old farmers referring to "being up before the milk train" which was just part of the dairy business back when you had to have a load of milk in cans in town before the early train. People actually did ride the "milk train" which was not a passenger service, but since it stopped at every small town, people hopped rides and went just a few miles, perhaps on their way to school, to work, or what have you. In my old home town, it was fairly commonplace for "local" freights to carry unofficial passengers from one town to the next with the blessing of the train crew.

Perhaps what we should be asking is what Tennessee Williams meant. Perhaps the title refers merely to getting a full night's sleep. Then again, we ARE talking about Tennessee Williams here, so I am inclined to doubt it.

[Mimi]

David,

Although I'm not sure, and Janis usually leaves her lyrics to the interpretation of the listener, I believe the line may have something to do with the play "The Milk Train Doesn't Stop Here Anymore" by Tennessee Williams, which is about a wealthy older woman who cathes the eye of a younger man.

I always thought "Tea & Sympathy" was about an old woman who is recently widowed and tries her best to surround herself with friends or to get back to some kind of a routine to occupy her time but the void is never filled and therefore chooses to end her life to be near her departed in the hereafter.

It's a great song. In fact, I listened to it again last night.

Jim

This is how I understood it. I've always been wondering how Janis could write a song like this at such a young age. Love this song! It has always been one of my favorite songs.

Mimi

[JoanM]

When I was a kid my older brother and I used to take the train to visit my aunt and uncle. We boarded somewhere in the Chicago area (maybe Chicago but more likely Aurora) and went to Kewanee, IL, 100+ miles west. Uncle Rich and Aunt Evelyn would pick us up in Kewanee and take us to the small farm town, Annawan, where they lived. We'd have great times with them and our cousins there.

When it was time to return, we had two choices, the regular train or the milk train. We got to stay later if we took the milk train. (It was a train that left in what seemed like the middle of the night and I recall trying to sleep through the night and early dawn.) We hated the milk train because it stopped at every little town and it took forever to get home. Sometimes our passenger car would be right by the baggage/freight car and we could see and hear them loading milk pales at each stop.

Being a kid from the burbs I didn't make the connection that the milk I drank had to come from a farm somewhere to get to the local dairy where it was bottled. So the stops were seemingly a waste of time and the sound of the clanking milk pails intrusive. I always took the line from Tea & Sympathy to mean not wanting to be involved with senseless stops that got in the way of the journey. It works for me..but I like hearing other thoughts on the line...just look at how many words we've written about those 10... jm

[CharlieD]

It never occurred to me that this meant anything other than "I don't want to be out late at night any more". Riding the milk train is widely known to mean getting the train that's in the wee small hours because you've stayed out late. Is it even open to alternative interpretation?

Anyway, this would be confirmed by the following line, in which the song's narrator vows that from now on "I'll go to bed at nine...".

Consequently, I never thought the song was sung from the viewpoint of someone of greatly advanced years, who'd be unlikely to be overdoing the nightlife in the first place.

[Dee]

. . . Janis usually leaves her lyrics to the interpretation of the listener . . . .

You are correct!

That said, for years I thought she was singing "the mill train." I mean mills must have trains too! :o

[Jim in Chattanooga, TN]

Interesting thoughts, folks, especially yours Joan.

Keep 'em comin'...

[Greener]

I always took the line from Tea & Sympathy to mean not wanting to be involved with senseless stops that got in the way of the journey.


I love Joan's interpretation. When I looked up Milk Train it said it referred to a train with lots of stops. Before I knew this, I took it to mean that she didn't want to be a part of the rat race and having to do what is expected every day.

Great song. When I was about 18, my mother played this song over and over when her boyfriend committed suicide after learning he had leukemia. That added a whole other meaning.

[David]

Thank you all so much for the insights. I am glad to see that others have the attachment to the song as do I.

I assume that "when the guests are gone" refers to the friends that come to pay respects after a funeral.

I too believe that the power of the song rests in the way that it can attach itself to each of our lives.

As some of you may know, I am a caregiver for my wife, who is slowly having her brain attacked by her own autoimmune system, and a 20 year old son with brain cancer.

At the risk of being a bit "dark" for this forum, I know that many ask how I can throw my life away.

I also understand how long it is until morning---or in my world--until I get through this.

And if I am to be completely honest--when I loose the only woman I will ever love---even laying down to sleep forever and a day---has a bit of appeal.

I know this sound pretty hopeless---but it really is not---love can just be that deep.

Thanks for all the interpretations--they make sense to me

[Judy]

How could you possibly be throwing away your life when you are caring for the people you love? It's one of the few truly sensible things that happens on this earth. That said, what a tragic hand your family has been dealt and I can only pray for strength for all of you.

[hoops]

David, your thoughts touch me just the way Janis's do in that song, one of my top 5 favs of hers. it's one song that ALWAYS made sense. You are, at this point in your life, living life to it's fullest in the most real sense of that phrase. I know there are many of us who have been care takers for those we love and as hard as it was and/or is we wouldn't trade that time for anything. it's proabably the hardest, strangest, deepest, truest things I've ever done. I'm glad you are here and feel comfortable enough to share this with us. rudie vibes to you and to your family that the best outcome finds you all, whatever that may be. I wish you love. Please come back and share some more with us, happy time, sad times, funny times, whatever you'd like to share...(especially if it involves Janis or food :) )
peace
Noel
peace
Noel

[stardust]

At the risk of being a bit "dark" for this forum...

David, you do know where you are, don't you? I dunno - "too dark" for a group of people who are addicted to the music of Janis Ian?

I mean no disrespect, and I am very sorry for your troubles. Just couldn't help but notice the irony there.