Said I want to live the city life
This small town could eat me alive
I gotta pack my things and go where the railroad takes me
Mama's too poor to send me away
But I've been saving up on most everyday
Little bit of each check from the Gas & Deli

And the whistle keeps on blowing
And the train keeps on rolling

And he said
I ain't never been to New York City
I ain't seen the San Francisco Bay
I ain't never tried my hand in Vegas
But you bet your bottom dollar
That's where I'm going the day after today

So he locked the door and he killed the lights
Took a six pack to get him through the night
Didn't have a plan just a good sense of direction
And Maybelline, his beauty queen
She cried all night cause the sheets were clean
But he left her a lovers' note there apologizing

He said I hear the whistle blowing
Gotta catch it the train is rolling

And he said
I ain't never been to New York City
I ain't seen the San Francisco Bay
I ain't never tried my hand in Vegas
But you bet your bottom dollar
That's where I'm going the day after today

The air is thick on the concrete isle
Ain't nothing green for like twenty miles
And he ain't used to the sun and moon a hiding
So he took his foot from out his mouth
And he packed his things and went back down south
But Maybelline said "Babe my time's arising"

Said I hear the whistle blowing
Gotta catch it the train is rolling

And she said
I ain't never been to New York City
I ain't seen the San Francisco Bay
I ain't never tried my hand in Vegas
I never seen the LA lights shine bright
Bright, brighter than your smile was ever
Brighter than my desire was ever
Longer burning than our love was ever

And she said
I ain't never been to New York City
I ain't seen the San Francisco Bay
I ain't never tried my hand in Vegas
But you bet your bottom dollar
That's where I'm going the day after today