[Verse 1]
While riding on a train going west
I fell asleep for to take my rest
I dreamed a dream that made me sad
Concerning myself and the first few friends I had

[Verse 2]
With half damp eyes I stared to the room
Where my friends and I spent many an afternoon
Where we together weathered many a storm
Laughing and singing 'til the early hours of the morn

[Verse 3]
By the old wooden stove where our hats were hung
Our words were told and our songs were sung
We longed for nothing and were satisfied
Talking and joking about the world outside

[Verse 4]
With haunted hearts through the heat and cold
We never thought we could get very old
We thought we could sit forever in fun
Though our chances really were a million to one

[Verse 5]
As easy it was to tell black from white
It was all that easy to tell wrong from right
Our choices were few and the thought never hit
That the one road we traveled would ever shatter and split
[Verse 6]
How many a year has passed and gone
Many a gamble has been lost and won
And many a road taken by many a first friend
And each one of them I've never seen again

[Verse 7]
I wish, I wish, I wish in vain
That we could sit simply in that room once again
Ten thousand dollars at the drop of a hat
I'd give it all gladly if our lives could be like that

[Verse 8]
While riding on a train going west
I fell asleep for to take my rest
I dreamed a dream that made me sad
Concerning myself and the first few friends I had