They tell me the Rock Island is a mean old train to ride
They tell me the Rock Island is a mean old train to ride
And the reason I know it is I've got my baby by my side

I hear the train whistle blowin' I know it's coming after me
I hear the train whistle blowin' I know it's coming after me
And I believe I'll go back To my old time used to be

It's a long freight train with a red and green light behind
It's a long freight train with a red and green light behind
Says the red mean danger and that green means a ramblin' mind

Says I went down to the station baby and I looked up on the board
Says I went down to the station baby and I looked up on the board
I asked the depot agent did my baby go down the roa