Railroad Blues

All aboard, track seventeen - all aboard Yee-ha This song is dedicated to all the hardworking pioneers of this country Settin' out discoverin the West Bringing the railroad to where no man has ever been before Johnny, he worked on the railroad - pounding on iron and steel Working his way out west now - the only sure thing's his next meal America was young, but she was a-growing Layin' tracks across the prairie not knowing where they're goin' His momma didn't want him leaving, but now he's headin' out 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 the railroad - pounding on iron and steel Working 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-hoping he would find The gold wasn't a-rushin', but Johnny kept on minin' Trying to send his momma somethin' with the letters he was signin' And one day Johnny finally got a reply When he opened Momma's letter, he began to cry She's a-writing 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 the railroad - pounding on iron and steel Working his way out west now - the only sure thing's his next meal Ah-ha! Ah-ha! Ha!