I had a job, I had a girl

I had something going mister in this world

I got laid off down at the lumber yard

Our love went bad, times got hard

Now I work down at the carwash

Where all it ever does is rain

Don't you feel like you're a rider on a downbound train



She just said "Joe I gotta go

We had it once we ain't got it any more"

She packed her bags left me behind

She bought a ticket on the Central Line

Nights as I sleep, I hear that whistle whining

I feel her kiss in the misty rain

And I feel like I'm a rider on a downbound train



Last night I heard your voice

You were crying, crying, you were so alone

You said your love had never died

You were waiting for me at home

Put on my jacket, I ran through the woods

I ran till I thought my chest would explode

There in the clearing, beyond the highway

In the moonlight, our wedding house shone

I rushed through the yard, I burst through the front door

My head pounding hard, up the stairs I climbed

The room was dark, our bed was empty

Then I heard that long whistle whine

And I dropped to my knees, hung my head and cried



Now I swing a sledge hammer on a railroad gang

Knocking down them cross ties, working in the rain