"The Polar Express" is a song from the film of the same name, sung by a chorus of children that plays when the Polar Expressarrives at the North Pole. Another version with Tom Hanks, as the Conductor, singing along is the second song that plays during the credits, after "Believe" and before "When Christmas Comes to Town", and is also featured as the first track on the film's official soundtrack and the eighth on the official score. The children also sing the song when Hero Boy first gets on the train.
In the song, the Conductor and the children sing about all the amazing things that happen when one rides on the Polar Express.
Lyrics[]
Conductor:(All aboard! All aboard!
Tickets please, tickets
Well, you coming?)
Children: It’s a magic carpet on a rail
Conductor and Children: Never takes a rest
Children (Conductor): Flying through the mountains and the snow
Ride for free and join the fun (You can ride for free!)
Children: If you just say yes!
'Cause that’s the way things happen
On the Polar Express
Conductor:(You bet!)
Children: Wooo wooo the whistle blows
That’s the sound of her singing
Ding, ding, the bell will ring
Conductor and Children: Golly look at her go!
Children: You wonder if you’ll get there soon
Anybody’s guess
Conductor and Children: 'Cause that’s the way things happen
On the Polar Express
Children (Conductor): When we get there, we’ll scream “Yes!” (Yeah)
Children: We’ll arrive with a
Conductor and Children: bang bang bang
Children: boom boom boom
Laughing all the way!
Conductor: It’s a choo choo with a stunning view
That rivals all the best
But you won’t ever see it advertised
It’s a simple fact, we stay on track
Though sometimes we digress
But that can only happen on the Polar Express
Children: Hiss, hiss, the steaming mist
Conductor and Children: That’s the sound of her breathing
Children: Clang, clang, the boiler bangs
What a wonderful show!
With a comfy seat
Conductor and Children: and lots to eat
Children: Boy is this the best!
Wish it wouldn’t ever have to end
Conductor and Children: With a little luck we’ll be on time
Children: There’s no need to stress
Conductor and Children: 'Cause that’s the way things happen
On the Polar Express
Conductor: Lights are gleaming far across the snow
You’re not dreaming
May I present the North Pole!
If it’s penguins you expect to view
You surely haven’t guessed
They all live down at the other end
Conductor and Children: With a little luck we’ll be on time
There’s no need to stress
'Cause that’s the way things happen
On the Polar Express
Children: Boom, boom, the whistle blows
Conductor and Children: That’s the sound of her singing
Children: Ding, ding, the bell will ring
Golly look at her go!
If you want to join us, come along
Conductor: I’ll check my manifest
Children: 'Cause that’s the way things happen
On the Polar Express
(instrumental break)
Children (Conductor): When we get there, we’ll scream “Yes!” (Yeah)
Children: We’ll arrive with a
Conductor and Children: bang bang bang
Children: boom boom boom
Laughing all the way
If you want to join us, come along
Conductor and Children: You can be our guest
Children: 'Cause that’s the way things happen
On the
Conductor and Children: roller...
coaster...
the Polar... Express!
Conductor:(Next stop, One Hundred and Thirteen Forty-Four
Edbrook Avenue
Next stop, One Hundred and Thirteen Forty-Four
Edbrook Avenue
Ahh ahhh ahh, that is not a toy, young man
Young man, that is not a toy
Take your seats, please
Take your seats.)
Trivia[]
The Conductor does not sing the song in the film, only the chorus of children. The version with the Conductor's vocals, however, plays during the credits.
Instrumental versions of the song can be heard in "Suite from the Polar Express", "Runaway Train/On the Ice/Ticket Punch/Saved by an Angel?", and "Boarding the Train/The Ride Home".
