A long black engine keeps a rolling along its 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 seen Through a crack in the boxcar door [ guitar ] 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... [ guitar ] 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... [ guitar ] 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 ther 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