I was born in the middle of this old town
About thirty-one years ago
I worked like a dog on the factory line
It's just about all that I know
Well, I was doing great, I never showed up late
I did all a man could do
Till I found a note in my pay envelope
Saying that's all she wrote for you
And I'm standing on the edge of town
Gonna get chilly when the sun goes down
Cardboard suitcase full of my clothes
Where I'm headin' just the good Lord knows
You know they got a machine where I used to stand
Just as funny lookin' as can be
Sayin', “Sorry boys, but you gotta go”
That meant Jimmy and Billy and me
Well, I guess I'm lucky cos I got no kids
And I'm one o' those bachelor men
But Jimmy's got four and Billy's got two
And I sure feel bad about them
And I'm standing on the edge of town
Gonna get chilly when the sun goes down
Cardboard suitcase full of my clothes
Where I'm headin' just the good Lord knows
Well, that machine is pretty and is fast as a devil
And it's just one thing that I see
You can bet the boss he didn't take no loss
It was Jimmy and Billy and me
And I'm standing on the edge of town
Gonna get chilly when the sun goes down
Cardboard suitcase full of my clothes
Where I'm headin' just the good Lord know