Hear the whistle blow far off in the still night without stars
See the tracks laid flat with a hammer's might
They're the spike driver's scars
They're the spike driver's scars

[Chorus]
By the railroad ties there a hammer lies
It's all painted in red
It's all painted in red
It's all painted in red
[2x]

The west springs up from the spike driver's blues
And the captain's new shiny shoes
Take to him this hat and hammer and tell him I'm gone
Won't you tell him I'm gone
I'm gone I'm gone I'm gone I'm gone

[Chorus]