When I rode out in Danville, I got stuck on a Danville girl
Boys, that kid was out of sight, she wore them Danville curls
Fair and so stylish, she trailed the fashion too
Whenever that mountain train goes by, I'm gonna bid that girl adieu

I don't know why I loved her, she never cared for me
But oh my heart was the one to live wherever she may be
Mother told me long ago in the days when I was young
Says, "Boy, you better watch out 'cause a day like this will come"

I walked up to the conductor, I gave him a line of talk
He says, "I'll take your money, boy, and I'll see that you don't walk"
When he found that I was broke, he turned around cried
"You'll have to get off this railroad train, you cannot bum your ride"

I hung all around the water tank until the next freight train come by
It come screamin' around the bend, I caught her on the fly
The engines screamed and the whistle blew and the bells begun to ring
I swung onto that old box car and I bummed that railroad train

Well, now I'm your city boys, and I'm tryna do what's right
Don't think because I'm a railroad bum that I'm not alright
Just give me a job and I'll settle down and I'll work with all my might
Sure be on the job everyday and I won't ramble out at night

That girl I left in Danville, that girl liked to broke my heart
That girl I left in Danville, from her I had to part
If ever I play another hand, I hope that I will win
But I don't wanna ever see that Danville girl again