A long black engine keeps a rolling along
It's wheels goin' clickety-clack
She's carrying me to war that eastern seaboard
Louisiana I ain't comin' back

And I sit all alone in an empty box
Listen to the engine roar
And I see the world that she oughta be seein'
Through a crack in the boxcar door

--- Instrumental ---

A hobo's life is a lonely life
And I'm restless son of a gun
So I'll keep a riding these ribbons of steel
And wait for my setting sun

And I sit all alone in an empty box
Listen to the engine roar
And I see the world that she oughta be seein'
Through a crack in the boxcar door

--- Instrumental ---

The engineer is pulling her down
And I reckon we ain't going to stop
And I'll be a dodgin' the man with a stick
I hear him a walkin' on top

And I sit all alone in an empty box
Listen to the engine roar
And I see the world that she oughta be seein'
Through a crack in the boxcar door

--- Instrumental ---

Most folks think I'm a crazy man
At all of hoboes like me
But I let the bottle that holds all
The world and I'll die happy and free

And I reckon I'll die in an empty box
Listen to the engine roar
I'll take the last long look at the world that I love
Through a crack in this boxcar door

I'll take the last long look at ther world that I love
Through a crack in this boxcar door