I wrote this after hearing my aunt say something about her "boyfriend at the time", and hearing that is what made me realize my now-husband would never be called my boyfriend at the time.

At the Time

- Written January 29, 2022
- Recorded June 28, 2025

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LYRICS:

[Verse 1:]
Ron is losing hope, he’s turning to a vice
Whatever it takes to fake a little paradise
Hard times, a hard life since they sent his job
Overseas, ‘cause honestly, who needs a day off?

[Verse 2:]
His kids are at home, been waiting on their dad
The refrigerator’s been empty, he hasn’t gotten called back
Application rejected, no, he never finished high school
Had to grow up real quick when his dad died at 42

[Pre-Chorus 1:]
From black lung diggin’ down in the mines
He said, “son, you don’t want this life.”

[Chorus 1:]
Another soul on a runaway train
A blank face just praying for a change
From town to town, they all feel the same
Lost souls ridin’ on a runaway train

[Verse 3:]
Now Jane is hungry, she sleeps under the bridge
The one they built around the town where she used to live
All the factories left Dodge, and with them went her pension
Wasn’t guaranteed after 40 years, that part they forgot to mention

[Pre-Chorus 2:]
And all these farms slowly turn into estates
Like all that hard work didn’t mean much of anything

[Chorus 2:]
Another soul on a runaway train
A blank face just praying for a change
From town to town, they all feel the same
Lost souls ridin’ on a runaway train

[Bridge:]
Another friday night, 50 hours clocked in
'Cause college was never an option to begin with
Now I’m driving back home, and all that’s left in these streets
Are the potholes and childhood memories

Like when we’d ride around crankin’ up some Springsteen
Always laughing, thinkin' that could never be us
'Til you spend all your days off, just sittin' around
Wishin' you'd never grown up

[Chorus 3:]
Another soul on a runaway train
A blank face just praying for a change
From town to town we all feel the same
Lost souls ridin’ on this runaway train

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Written, performed, and produced by Cody Cutchall
2025, Buck Ridge Recordings

Runaway Train - Acoustic Version

2025. Written for Appalachia, my home. Premiered at "A Variety Show in 3 Parts."

Concrete Trees

Remember Us

Gift of Gab

Will Work For Hire

You Need Fashion Advice

Even if diabetes runs in your family, if you find out that your own A1C, or blood sugar level, is in the diabetes range, that doesn’t mean your future with diabetes is set in stone. Fannie Callahan, of Lee County, KY, is living proof.  Despite having a family history of diabetes, when Fannie found out her A1C had crossed over into the diabetes zone, she jumped into action, changing what she ate every day and starting to go out walking as often as she could. Before long, her A1C had fallen back down into a safer range, and, she says, she just felt better in general. In this episode we visit with Fannie, as part of our ongoing storytelling series Prevent Diabetes EKY, and hear about her diabetes journey— including how, even if she’s exercising more, she still makes time to watch basketball.

Preventing Diabetes-Fannie's Story

Helen's Lament

Lyrics:

Deep into the woods
Vhs tapes fading
Black and blue
Tears for eyes
Lost all sight
And she was watching you
Right there
Where the hollowed trees
Speak her name

Hollowed

Listen to my first track “Runaway Train - Acoustic Version” - out now everywhere!

Facebook: Cody Cutchall
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A Story Bank Sharing New Ideas, Opportunities & Challenges For Diversifying Appalachia's Economy & Renewing Her Communities, from WMMT-FM & Appalshop Community Media Initiative

New tracks tagged #appalachia