all day, everyday
i swing my hammer to the metal on the northern railway
always a movie playing in my head
a million movies starring you and me
moonshine every night
eating supper by the fire out in the clear moonlight
ankles crossed, hands behind my head
telling stories, singing songs about the west
i'm always thinking of you
staring off down the railroad line
one sweet day i will see you
but i'll swing the hammer until
the empire builder brings me home
for two months and two odd weeks
sometimes days go by in which nobody speaks
from illinois to washington
there ain't nothing but the hammer to the rail
one day when this track runs through
i'm gonna buy a new suit and come looking for you
care free, you and me
we'll take the empire builder to the sea
and i'm always thinking of you
staring off down the railroad line
one sweet day i will see you
but i'll swing the hammer until
the empire builder brings me home