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 
 
 Ooooh oooo oo whu hu hoo
 Ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo oo 
 
 Well I bin out here many a 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 bin stood up I bin shook down
 I bin dragged into the sand
 And the big steel rail 
 Gonna carry me home to the one I love 
 
 Well I bin up tight most every night
 Walkin' along the streets of this old town
 Not a friend 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 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