Lyrics:

[Verse 1]
Daddy's been a railroad man
Since he was twenty-one
Two years of Britty ship
Beakmen on the Denver run
Thirty he made fireman
Thirty-five an engineer
Now at sixty-five
He's reached the end of his career
Daddy said he's glad it's over
But he ain't fooling me
Last night I overheard him singing
This sad old melody

[Chorus]
So long train whistle
So long hmm-hmm
This near generation
Has no need for you or I

[Bridge]
We both served the nation
Long before it learned to fly
Nothing last forever
Now it's our turn to die
Lord hear that whistle cry

[Verse 2]
Daddy's not the only one
The railroad lines are fired
And New York Central Limited
Long since been retired
The Chief is gone from Santa Fe
The SP Lark as well
I'm soon to rest to leave the rails
Lord only time you tell
I know that you can't stop progress
New things happen every day
We going to mourn that lonely whistle
If it finally fades away

[Chorus]

[Outro]
Hear that whistle cry