Well, my mama told me, my papa told me too Now my mama told me, papa told me too Well, I shouldn't be here trying to sing these railroad blues Wish I had a-listened to what my mama said! Wish I had a-listened to what my mama said! Well, I wouldn't be here trying to sleep in this cold iron bed [instrumental] Well, I went to the depot, I never got there on time Went down to the depot, never got there on time Well, my train's going down, she's a-rolling down the line
Mister jailer, go away now, don't tell me no lies! Mister jailer, go away, don't tell me no lies! Well my train's going down, she's a-rolling down the line [instrumental] Well, my mama told me, my papa told me too Now, my mama told me, papa told me too Well, I shouldn't be here trying to sing these railroad blues Wish I had a-listened to what my mama said! Wish I had a-listened to what my mama said! Well, I wouldn't be here trying to sleep in this cold iron bed