[Verse 1]
My mama told me, my papa told me, too
And 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, oh, to what my mama said
Wish I had a-listened, oh, to what my mama said
Well, I wouldn't be here trying to sleep in this cold iron bed

[Instrumental break]

[Verse 2]
I went to the depot, I never got there on time
Went down to the depot, never got there on time
Well, the train's going down, she's rolling down the line

Mister jailеr, go away now, don't tell me no lies
Mistеr jailer, go away now, don't tell me no lies
Well, my train's going down, she's rolling down the line

[Instrumental break]

[Outro]
My mama told me, my papa told me, too
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