Once i had a darlin mother, though i can't recall her name
I had a baby brother, who I'll never see again
Oh the children's home is sending us out on the orphan train
To try to find someone to take us in

Take us in
We have rode the orphan train
Take us in we need a home we need a name
Take us in
Oh won't you be our kin
We are lookin for someone to take us in

I have stolen from the poorbox, I begged the city streets
I've swamped the bars and poolrooms, for a little bite to eat
Had my daddy's old green jacket and these rags upon my feet
I've been lookin for someone to take me in

Take us in
We have rode the orphan train
Take us in we need a home we need a name
Take us in
Oh won't you be our kin
We are lookin for someone to take us in

And the children home they gathered us, me and all the rest
They taught us to sit quietly until the food was blessed
Then they put us on the orphan train, they sent us way out west, to try to find someone to take us in
And the farmers and their families rode in from miles around
We lined up on the platform of the station in each town
And one by one we parted, like some living lost and found
And one by one we all were taken in

Take us in
We have rode the orphan train
Take us in we need a home we need a name
Take us in
Oh won't you be our kin
We are lookin for someone to take us in

Now there's a many a good doctor or a teacher in your school
There's many a fine preacher who can teach the golden rule
Who started out an orphan sleeping in the freezing rain
Who life began out on the orphan train

Take us in
We have rode the orphan train
Take us in we need a home we need a name
Take us in
Oh won't you be our kin
We are lookin for someone to take us in