railroad blues

This song is dedicated to all the hard working pioneers of this country, settin' out discovering the west, bringing the railroad to where no man has ever been before. Johnny he worked on a railroad Building 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 grownin' Laying tracks across a prairie Not knowing where they're going His mama didn't want him leaving But now he's heading 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 reply Johnny he worked on a railroad Building 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 hopin' he would find The gold wasn't a rushin' But Johnny kept on mining Trying to send his mama something With the letters he was signing Then one day Johnny finally got a reply When he opened mama's letter he began to cry She was writing from her death bed 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 Building on iron and steel Working his way out west now The only sure thing's his next meal