Well I got my mail late last night a letter from a girl who found the time to write
To her lonesome boy somewher's 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 up tight most every night walkin' around 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 that plain
The big drive wheels a 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

Well 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 I gambled my ticket away
And the big steel rail won't carry me home to the one I love