My mama told me, my papa told me too
Now my mama told me, papa told me too
Well, I wouldn't be here trying to sing these railroad blues

Wish I had a-listened, oh, to what my mama said
Wish I had a-listened, oh, to what my mama said
Well, I wouldn't be here trying to sleep in this cold iron bed

[Instrumental break]

I went to the depot, I never got there on time
Went down to the depot, never got there on time
Well, my train's going down, she's a-rolling down the line

Mister jailer, go away now, don't tell me no lies
Mister jailer, go away now, don't tell me no lies
Well, my train's going down, she's a-rolling down the line

[Instrumental break]

Well, my mama told me, my papa told me too
Well, my mama told me, papa told me too
Well, I wouldn't be here trying to sing these railroad blues

Wish I had a-listened to, oh, what my mama said
Wish I had a-listened to, oh, what my mama said
Well, I wouldn't be here trying to sleep in this cold iron bed