[Verse 1]
Daddy's been a railroad man since he was twenty-one
Two years apprenticeship, a brakeman 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
We both served the nation long before it learned to fly
Nothing lasts 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
The New York Central Limited has long since been retired
Chief is gone from Santa Fe, the SP Lark, as well
How soon the rest will leave the rails? Lord, only time you tell
I know that you can't stop progress
New things happen every day
We're going to mourn that lonely whistle
When it finally fades away

[Chorus]
So long, train whistle, so long hmm-hmm
This near generation has no need for you or I
We both served the nation long before it learned to fly
Nothing lasts forever, now it's our turn to die
Lord, hear that whistle cry
Hear that whistle cry