Steel Rail Blues

gordon lightfoot

well I got my mail late last night
a letter from a girl who found the time to write
to her lonesome boy somewheres in the night
she sent me a railroad ticket too to take me to her lovin' arms
and the big steel rail gonna carry me home to the one I love

well I been out here many long days
I haven't found a place that I could call my own
not a two bit bed to lay my body on
I been stood up  • I bin shook down  • I been dragged into the sand
and the big steel rail gonna carry me home to the one I love

well I been uptight most every night
walkin' along the streets of this old town
not a friend around to tell my troubles to
my good old car she done broke down 'cause I drove it into the ground
and the big steel rail gonna carry me home to the one I love

well I look over yonder across the plain
the big drive wheels are poundin' along the ground
gonna get on board and I'll be homeward bound
now I ain't had a home cooked meal and Lord I need one now
and the big steel rail gonna carry me home to the one I love

now here I am with my hat in my hand
standin' on the broad highway : will you give a ride?
to a lonesome boy who missed the train last night
I went in town for one last round and I gambled my ticket away
and the big steel rail won't carry me home to the one I love

ooooh oooo oo whee hee hee
ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo oo