—Arthur Smith
Coming down from Tennessee riding on the line
Thinking about the girl of mine couldn't keep from crying
Refrain: Honey babe I'm bound to ride, don't you want to go
Riding on a streetcar looking o'er the town
Eatin' soda crackers ten cents a pound
Refrain
Working on a railroad saving all I can
Looking for that woman ain't got no man
Refrain
See that train a coming round the bend
Goodbye my little darling I'm on my way again
Refrain
If I die a railroad man bury me under the ties
So I can see old number four as she goes rolling by
Refrain
Another version:
Comin' thru old Asheville, comin' thru a flyin'
Studied about my little darlin,' couldn't keep from crying
Refrain:
Honey babe I'm bound to ride, don't you want to go
Goin to Atlanta, just to look around
If things don't soothe me, goin' to another town
Refrain
Workin' on the railroad, saving all I can
Lookin' for that woman, ain't got no man
Refrain
Standin on a corner ten thousand miles from home
Studied bout them good times, done past and gone
Refrain
If I die a railroad man, bury me under the ties
So I can hear ole number four as she goes rolling by
Refrain
Verse:
| IV | I | V | V – I |
| I | I | V – I | I |