The railroad came two bands of steel
Where shortly before the wagon wheel
That had left its mark on virgin land

Well the road boss told the foreman and the foreman he told me
We're gonna build a railroad through the mountains to the sea

All together now come along boys
Let's lay some track

Well it's tamp them ties lay that steel and drive them spikes on down
And when you swing that hammer better make it ring or you won't be around
Hmm hmm gonna be the death of me
Buildin' a railroad through the mountains to the sea

You gotta shovel that tie for the bossman you better bear down on that jack
Cause he's got no use for a railroad man that's afraid to bow his back
Hmm hmm gonna be the death of me
Buildin' a railroad through the mountains to the sea

Well a powder man come and he blowed a hole tight in the mountain side
A boulder fell on the bossman and I wished to my soul he'd a died
Hmm hmm gonna be the death of me
Buildin' a railroad through the mountains to the sea

Well looky yonder comin' hey what do you think I see
I swear them's pig tailed coolies and they're drivin' steel like me
Hmm hmm gonna be the death of me
Buildin' a railroad through the mountains to the sea

All together now come along boys
Let's drive the steel