Railroad Blues

"All aboard, track 17, all aboard'"
Yeehaw!
Now this song is dedicated
To all the hard workin' pioneers of this country
Setting out discovering the West
Bringin' a railroad to where no man has ever been before

Johnny he worked on a railroad
A poundin' on iron and steel
Workin' his way out West now
The only sure thing's his next meal

America was young
But she was a growin'
Layin' tracks across the prairie
Not knowing where they're going

His momma didn't wanna' leave him
But now he's in the West
She said, "Please don't go"
But he said, "If I don't I'll never rest"

It wasn't always easy
Some of the boys died
Johnny wrote her letters

But he received no replies

Johnny he worked on a railroad
A poundin' on iron and steel
Workin' his way out West now
The only sure thing's his next meal

Johnny reached San Francisco
Tired and broke without a dime
Started panning for gold
Just a hopin' he would find

The gold wasn't a rushin'
But Johnny kept on minin'
Trying to send his Mama something
With the letters he was signing

Then one day Johnny finally got a reply
When he opens Mama's letter, he began to cry
She's a writin' from her deathbed and this is what she said
"Please don't be mad at me son 'cause tomorrow I'll be dead"

Johnny he worked on a railroad
A poundin' on iron and steel
Workin' his way out West now
The only sure thing's his next meal