"Railroad Blues" lyrics - BEASTIE BOYS

"All Aboard, Track 17, All Aboard'"

YEEEHAAW
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 they're going
His mother didn't wanna' leave him
But now he's in the West
She said please don't go
But he said if I don't I'll never rest
It wasn't always easy
Some of the boys died
Johnny wrote her letters
But 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

Johhny reached San Francisco
Tired and broke without a dime
Started panning for gold
Just a hopin' he would find
The gold wasn't 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 opened mama's letter
He began to cry
She's a writin' from her deathbed
And this is what she said
Please don't be mad at me son,
'Ccause tomorrow I'll 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