Used to wake up with the chickens before daylight
And hear a whistle blow far down the line
That old freight train rolling through my town
And I'd hit that dirt road running hard and fast
To the post office depot where she would pass
That old freight train rolling through my town
Lay a hand on the rail and feel the rumbling
And look down the track to see her coming
That freight train yeah that old freight train rolling through my town
And I'd count each car as she rolled on by
And dream someday about taking a ride
If I could only touch her and know she was real
Feel that coat of iron and that heart of steel
From Santa Fe to New Orleans going places this poor boy has never seen
On a freight train yeah that old freight train rolling through my town
Well time rolls on like that old freight train
Leavin' only a childhood's dream to remain
As those freight trains roll through my town
And here I sit on this porch with my old black hound
Every evening when the sun goes down
Watching freight trains rolling through my town
There's something in my heart a fascination to ride the rails across this nation
On a freight train Lord that old freight train rolling through my town
And I still count each car as she rolled on by
And dream someday about taking a ride
Mr Hobo how I envy you rolling away into the wild blue
From Santa Fe to New Orleans going places this ol' lad has never seen
On a freight train yeah that old freight train rolling through my town
Rolling through my town rolling through my town