Expert: Bong Santos - 12/21/2006

Question
I've got the album, but for the life of me can't find it.  It's a black man on the front cover and the one song I'm looking for goes something like this.
I hear the sound of the roaring train as it rolls through the night in the pouring rain......the chorus..what can I do sweet darling I don't want to go away...and that's about all I can remember of the song.  Hope you can help.

Answer
Dear Debbie,

The song is ROYAL MILE (SWEET DARLIN') by Scottish singer-songwriter GERRY RAFFERTY. It's from an album called SNAKES AND LADDERS released in 1980. I just don't know if it's the same album in your mind. SNAKES AND LADDERS features a four-armed clown on the cover while two more compilation albums, DAYS GONE BY and CLOWN TO THE LEFT, JOKER TO THE RIGHT has the artist on its cover. I hope I got it right. Here's its lyrics:

ROYAL MILE (SWEET DARLIN') / GERRY RAFFERTY

I remember the sound of the passing train
As it rolled through the night in the pouring rain
And the touch of a hand and the way she said 'Goodbye'.

And we walked in the sun down the royal mile
Saw the light in her eye and the way she smiled
And she cried in the night and I heard her say 'Don't go'.

What can I do, sweet darlin', I don't want to go away
Looking at you sweet darlin', I know I want to stay
What can I do, sweet darlin'?

In the light of the day I was rolling home
I was thinking of you waiting on your own
And I wanted to call but then something said 'Oh no'.

Yeah but now it's a dream, it's a memory
But I'll never forget what you gave to me
I was lost and alone but you made me feel ok.

What can I do, sweet darlin', I don't want to go away
Looking at you sweet darlin', I know I want to stay
What can I do, sweet darlin'?

I remember the sound of the passing train
As it rolled through the night in the pouring rain
And the touch of a hand and the way she said 'Goodbye'.

What can I do, sweet darlin', I don't want to go away
Looking at you sweet darlin', I know I want to stay
What can I do, sweet darlin'?


Maraming salamat po!!

BONG M. SANTOS
Manila, Philippines