When you said goodbye, I thought I would cry
Or at least feel the dark of a deep shade of blue
I would have to attend to a heart on the mend
And would fight back memories of you
You affected my life, oh I cannot deny that
You made believe that life's not for free
But anger and scorn are not what I live for
So my darling I'll leave that to you
I sat one night, in the glow of firelight
And I played all my favorite tunes you dislike
Some friends made a call, let's go casual;
Tonight is the Calico Ball
Now I'm feeling alive with a man on each side
With my heart in tow is the most apropos
And each swing round the room lifts and spins off the gloom
And every step takes me further from you
That night at the dance, after all our romance
Made me feel like a woman in bloom
Romance it is true, it is useful for you
But for me now my star is true
Then a man came to me, I said yes I am free
And I undid the clasp of my gold ball and chain
I danced in his charms, was completely disarmed
Now I'm riding along on the Calico Train
Sorrow and strain, they can both long remain
They can take you and leave you alone and insane
But freedom's in sight, if the road in the night
Is lit by the light of the Calico Train
Joy is the word now, that's guiding my life
My step is much quicker since you said goodbye
The blood flowing through me has turned to champagne
Now I'm riding along on the Calico Train