All aboard, track 17, all aboard
Yeehaw!
Now this song is dedicated
To all the hard workin pioneers of this country
Setting out discovering the West
Bringin a railroad to where no man has ever been before
Johnny he worked on a railroad
A poundin on iron and steel
Workin his way out West now
The only sure things his next meal
America was young
But she was a growin
Layin tracks across the prairie
Not knowing where theyre going
His momma didnt wanna leave him
But now hes in the West
She said, Please dont go
But he said, If I dont Ill never rest
It wasnt always easy
Some of the boys died
Johnny wrote her letters
But he received no replies
Johnny he worked on a railroad
A poundin on iron and steel
Workin his way out West now
The only sure things his next meal
Johnny reached San Francisco
Tired and broke without a dime
Started panning for gold
Just a hopin he would find
The gold wasnt a rushin
But Johnny kept on minin
Trying to send his Mama something
With the letters he was signing
Then one day Johnny finally got a reply
When he opens Mamas letter, he began to cry
Shes a writin from her deathbed and this is what she said
Please dont be mad at me son cause tomorrow Ill be dead
Johnny he worked on a railroad
A poundin on iron and steel
Workin his way out West now
The only sure things his next meal