"Locomotive Breath" is a song by the British rock band Jethro Tull from their 1971 album, Aqualung.
It is notable for a long bluesy piano introduction (particularly during live performances) and its flute solo by flautist Ian Anderson. The song receives frequent airplay on classic rock radio stations.
Lyrics
In the shuffling madness. Of the locomotive breath. Runs the all time loser. Headlong to his death. Oh, he feels the pistons screaming. Steam breaking on his brow. Old Charlie stole the handle. And the train it won't stop going. No way to slow down.
He sees his children jumpin' off. At stations one by one. His woman and his best friend. In bed and having fun. So he's crawling down the corridor. On his hands and knees. Old Charlie stole the handle. And the train it won't stop going. No way to slow down.
He hears the silence howling. Catches angels as they fall. And the all time winner. Has got him by the balls. Oh, he picks up Gideon's Bible. Open at page one. I think God, he stole the handle. And the train it won't stop going. No way to slow down.
No way to slow down. No way to slow down. No way to slow down. No way to slow down.
