Well, I got my mail late last night
A letter from a girl who found the time to write
To her lonesome boy somewhere in the night

She sent me a railroad ticket too
To take me to her loving arms and the big steel rail
Gonna carry me home to the one I love

Well I been 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 been stood up I been shook down
I bin dragged into the sand and the big steel rail
Gonna carry me home to the one I love

Well I been up tight most every night
Walking 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 look over yonder across the plain
The big drive wheels a-pounding 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 head in the sand
Standing 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