[Verse 1]
For weary weeks, I've waited
And hoping for the best
These blues will make me ramble
And the rails are leading west
I'm feeling awful lonesome
Pleasure, I can't find
I'm leaving you, mean papa
Just to worry you off of my mind

[Verse 2]
That old gang kindly whispers
"Just fall in line and smile"
Mean papa haunts me
And I crave the peace of mind
I don't know where I'm going
Feeling kind of queer
I've been from several places
And I'm going to be from here

[Verse 3]
Seems there's something missing
There's feelings in my breast
I crave to cover distance
Mean papa, give me rest
I hear the rails a-singin'
Sky is clear and blue
I'm going to leave you, papa
When the train comes rolling through
[Bridge]
Yodel-lay-hee, yodel-lay-hee

[Verse 4]
No money in my pocket
I'm loafin' around so flat
And soon I'll be strolling
Down that railroad track
And when I'm miles away
Riding all the while
I'll think of you, mean papa
Oh, I'll think of you and smile

[Outro]
Ay-hee-oh yodel-ay-hee-hee yeedle-dee-hee
Ah-lee-doe yodel-ay-hee
Yodel-lay-hee-hee
Yodel-lay-hee-hee