Old Rueben had a train he put it on the track
Said hed run it til the Lord knows when
You oughta been in town when old Ruebens train come round You could hear the whistle blow 1000 miles

On the first day of the year old Rueben came up here
And he never been back home since that day
I give him a raise in rent laid old Rueben in the shade
I started me a graveyard of my own

What did the hobo say to the bum got any cornbread save my Son Lord I've never been so hungry in my life
What did the hobo say to the tramp the road is muddy and the way is damp
Oh Lord I'm 900 miles from my home

I'm walking down this track Ive got tears in my eyes
I'm tryin to read a letter from my home
If my woman says so
I'll railroad no more
I'll sidetrack my train and I'll go home

Well, I've been to the east
And I've been to the west
I'm going where them chilly winds dont blow
And if my train runs me right
I'll see my woman on a Friday night
Lord I'm 900 miles from my home