A Baby Got Born on the W Train This Morning

by @nancycunning

A Baby Got Born on the W Train This Morning
nancycunning
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Liner Notes

When I told my son about the story I'd read about a baby being born on the W train, he immediately asked which train line I thought would be the best to be born on. We've had a lot of subway adventures over the 21 years since he was born at a hospital above an express stop on the 2 and 3 trains. He brought his newborn sister a subway map so she could find her way home from the same hospital. And he and his sister both have names you can spell with Subway line letters. Anyway I've been singing this one all day, and it was fun to see how the verses unfolded.

Today's also my mother's 82nd #birthday, she was born at another New York Hospital near the A and C I think.
#acousticonetake #americana

Lyrics

A baby got born on the W train this morning
I saw it in the paper, so I guess it may ‘a happened last night
This baby got herself born in the first car on the W train, she had a car full of strangers help her out
It made me smile like it's all gonna be alright

You know we used to ride the W train some mornings
You always liked it, unless we’d had a rough night
When you’d cry in the front pack in the first car on the W train , some stranger would always help us out
He would smile like it's all gonna be alright

If you see a baby on the W train this morning
If you see a mother who needs a little help some night
If you see somebody who used to be a baby in the first car on the W train, be a stranger, help ‘em out
Smile like it's all gonna be alright

Cause a baby got born on the W train this morning.
Smile, it's alright

Comments

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@atornberg
I like the way you use the news to spark this plea to help everyone and everything will be alright. The refrain is very memorable and nice to hear!
[avatar]
@gwynjones
What a brilliant write and performance...life affirming and such a pleasure to listen to...love it!
[avatar]
@bethdesombre
Excellent and uplifting story, told well. Love the "all gonna be alright" -- both melodically and in terms of sentiment.
[avatar]
@karan
This is exquisitely beautiful, and just the kind of hopeful and encouraging story I needed to hear before going to bed tonight. Thank you!
[avatar]
@greengrassgirl
You have such a lovely way of telling a story. I like the way your lyrics and the music always fit together so well. There is a real kindness in your voice that is very appealing.
[avatar]
@jeff9
Ditto @johnnywallflower on the Prine vibe. I wouldn't have blinked twice if you told me it was his song. Brilliantly simple and so loaded with truth, both lyrics and melody. And your performance was wonderful, Nancy. Thank you for a smile this morning.
[avatar]
@lbrewington
Holey Moley. Easily my favorite. The hook "smile like it's all gonna be alright" is just the best thing ever, the long delivery is just perfectly timed. The repeated usage of "stranger" works really well. Easily intrigued about crying in the front pack. The treatment of night on each verse is great as well. Great job on this one.
[avatar]
@johnnywallflower
What a sweet song. Real Prine vibes.
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@mikeskliar
I saw that story as well-- wild! so glad you wrote that song- its sweet and just about perfect, like that W baby! :)
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@angelinapowersuit
OMG Nancy I was just talking to my own son about this unbelievable story as we rode on the A train this morning! Just wild and miraculous. That is such a sweet story about your son and the subway map. It can still throw me off of my game, haha. Now, just listening to your song, and wondering how you would smoothly fit in the letter, "W," haha, Great job. I like how this song just rolls along, as if you were also singing it on the W train. It's got an Edie Brickell vibe (insert heart emoji). So glad you documented this NYC moment and found a positive angle to share.
[avatar]
@willow1
Oh boy I LOvE this song.
[avatar]
@bradbrubaker
What a tender, loving song. A simple guitar strum that carries the tune through its different chapters.
[avatar]
@abudabard12514
Ya Haram I hope that baby is alright and got where they needed to be. Great song. Excellent storytelling
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@sph
I love this ode to faith in humanity. At least that's what I get from it. Wonderful
[avatar]
@kc_
Love the simplicity and genuine delivery - Sweet vox Nance!! Great performance and capture! Love it! Write On!!
[avatar]
@richaaaay
Love this story. Both the descriptive elements but also the kind message. Excellent total package, vocals and guitar...Great stuff!
[avatar]
@smudge
Great song @nancycunning Super great imagery! Lovely melody too! Simple and beautiful. Can picture the video. Well done! Happy Birthday to your mom :)
[avatar]
@billwhite51
this is such a fun, breezy song. you tell the story so well and your singing is perfection. I love your phrasing, especially when you break the final line of the verses down into notes of varying length. in fact, your phrasing is wonderful throughout the song. You have me hanging on every syllable.
[avatar]
@unknownbecky
I love this one! The melody, the message, the great phrases like "if you see somebody who used to be a baby." Your song really does make me feel like things are going to be all right, and that's not easy to do in my current doomscroll mode. Thank you! I needed this.
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