STEEL RAIL BLUES
(Gordon Lightfoot)

Gordon Lightfoot - 1966
George Hamilton IV - 1966
Jim Croce - 1966
Wally Whyton - 1968
Spanky & Our Gang - 1970
Mac Wiseman - 1977
Deanie Richardson & Second Fiddle - 1990
Sweethearts Of The Rodeo - 1993

Also recorded by: Fretknot; Count Basie.



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 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

Ooooh-oooo-oo-whu-hu-hoo
Ooo-ooo-ooo-ooo-ooo-ooo-oo

Well I bin up tight 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

Ooooh-oooo-oo-whu-hu-hoo
Ooo-ooo-ooo-ooo-ooo-ooo-oo

*Well, here I am with my head in the sand*
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-whu-hu-hoo
Ooo-ooo-ooo-ooo-ooo-ooo-oo
Ooooh-oooo-oo-whu-hu-hoo
Ooo-ooo-ooo-ooo-ooo-ooo-oo
Yee-hee-heee






* The first line of the last verse is alternatively sung as
 "Now here I am with my hat in my hand"
 Jim Croce sung "head in the sand" and the Gordon Lightfoot website 
 currently lists the same, but the lyric on his album 'Lightfoot' are
 "Now here I am with my hat in my hand." 

(Contributed by Andy & Mogg - November 2002)