Old John Joseph was a man with two first names
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They left him in the railroad yard when they took away the trains
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Only one run a week comes on roaring down that line
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So all he's got to worry 'bout is time.
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I come by in the evening to hear 'bout where he's been
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He says - Come on sit down Kid, where shall I begin?
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He starts telling me the stories of the glories of his past
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But he always saves the story of his Corey for the last.
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And he says - My Corey's coming. No more sad stories coming
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My midnight-moonlight-morning-glory's coming aren't you girl?
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And like I told you, when she holds you
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She enfolds you in her world.
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I was quite surprised to find out all the places that he knew
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And so I asked the townfolk if his stories were true
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They said - Old John was born here, he's lived here all his life
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He's never had a woman, let alone a wife.
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And very soon you'll find out as you check around
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That no one named Corey's ever lived in this town
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So I chided the old man 'bout the truth that I had heard
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He smiled and said - Reality is only just a word.
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I came by one evening but he did not hear my shout
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I looked in the window and saw the fire was out
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When he would not wake up I forced in the door
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And found that Old John Joseph would tell stories no more.
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The scene at the graveyard, three of us were there
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Me and the gravedigger heard the parson's prayer
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He said - We need not grieve for this man,
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For we know that God cares!
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They put the cold dirt over him and left me on my own
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And when at last I looked up I saw I was not alone
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Standing there in silence with a shawl around her face
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Stood a beautiful young woman
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I remember what she said
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"Is that John Joseph there?"
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I nodded my head yes.
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That brought a soft smile to her.
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She said "It's time he, he got some rest"
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So I said - If you're a relative, he had a peaceful end.
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She said - My name is Corey - you can say I'm just a friend.
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Corey's coming, no more sad stories coming
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My midnight-moonlight-morning-glory's coming aren't you girl?
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And like I told you, when she holds you
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She enfolds you in her world.
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So that's the old man's story, I'm glad you came tonight
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A busted down old railroad yard sure makes a lonely sight
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You may wonder why a young man would work out here alone
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Well the job pays enough to keep some flesh on my bones.
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And I confess I get to missing the old man a bit
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And there's one other reason I guess I should admit -
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Can't you see my Corey's coming, no more sad stories coming
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My midnight-moonlight-morning-glory's coming aren't you girl?
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And like he told me, when she holds me
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She enfolds me in her world.
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-----------------
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Corey's Coming
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Harry Chapin |