[Intro]
Ooh ooh ooh, hoo hoo hoo, ooh

[Verse 1]
Well, I got my mail late last night
A letter from the man who found the time to write
To his lonesome girl somewhere in the night
He sent me a railroad ticket
To take me to his lovin' arms
And the big steel rail gonna carry me home to the one I love

[Verse 2]
Well, I been out here many long days
Haven't found a place that I could call my own
Not a two-bit bed to lay my body on
I been stood up, I been shook down
I've been dragged into the sand
And the big steel rail gonna carry me home to the one I love

[Chorus]
Ooh ooh ooh, hoo hoo hoo, ooh
Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh

[Verse 3]
Well, I've been uptight most every night
Walkin' along the streets of this old town
Not a friend around to tell my troubles to
My good old car, she done broke down
'Cause I drove it into the ground
And the big steel rail gonna carry me home to the one I love
[Verse 4]
Well, I look over yonder across the plain
The big drive wheels are poundin' along the ground
Gonna get on board and I'll be homeward bound
Now I ain't had a home cooked meal
And Lord, I need one now
And the big steel rail gonna carry me home to the one I love

[Chorus]
Ooh ooh ooh, hoo hoo hoo, ooh
Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh

[Verse 5]
Now here I am with my hat in my hand
Standin' on the broad highway, would you give a ride
To a lonesome girl who missed the train last night
I went in town for one last round
And I gambled my ticket away
And the big steel rail won't carry me home to the one I love

[Chorus]
Ooh ooh ooh, hoo hoo hoo, ooh
Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh
Ooh ooh ooh, hoo hoo hoo
Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh