I had a job, I had a girl
I had something going, mister, in this world
I got laid off down at the lumber yard
Our love went bad, times got hard
Now I work down at the carwash
Where all it ever does is rain
Don't it feel like you're a rider
On a downbound train?

She just said "Joe, I gotta go
"We had it once, we ain't got it any more"
She packed her bags, left me behind
She bought a ticket on the Central Line
Nights as I sleep, I hear that whistle whining
I feel her kiss in the misty rain
And I feel like I'm a rider
On a downbound train

Last night I heard your voice
You were crying, crying, you were so alone
You said your love had never died
You were waiting for me at home
I put on my jacket, I ran through the woods
I ran 'til I thought my chest would explode
There in the clearing beyond the highway
In the moonlight our wedding house shone
I rushed through the yard
I burst through the front door
My head pounding hard
Up the stairs I climbed
The room was dark
Our bed was empty
Then I heard that long whistle whine
And I dropped to my knees
Hung my head and cried
Now I swing a sledge hammer on a railroad gang
Knocking down them cross ties, working in the rain
Don't it feel like you're a rider
On a downbound train?