Gang man, make the bed
A cross tie at your head
For we can't lay the track
'til the benders off your back
Gang man, make the bed
Carry man, get the feel
Heave that ply of steel
We can't get to town
'til I bring my hammer down
Carry man, get the feel

Spiker, place your nail
Right beside the rail
I can drive all you've got
'cause I keep my hammer hot
Spiker, place your nail

Big train, stay off my back
You got a thousand mile of track
I can hear your whistle blow
But there ain't no where to go
Big train, stay off my back
Captain let it be
You know you can't hurry me
You won't give me my time 'cause you know I'm in my prime
Captain, let it be
Listen to my hammer whine
We got ninety mile of track to line
We can do what we like when we drive the golden spike
Listen to my hammer whine