(Traditional)

[Chorus:]
Railroad Bill, Railroad Bill
He never worked and he never will
I'm gonna ride old Railroad Bill

Railroad Bill he was a mighty mean man
He shot the midnight lantern out t he brakeman's hand
I'm going to ride old Railroad Bill

Railroad Bill took my wife
Said if I didn't like it, he would take my life
I'm going to ride old Railroad Bill

Going up on a mountain, going out west
Thirty-eight special sticking out of my vest
I'm going to ride old Railroad Bill

Buy me a pistol just as long as my arm
Kill everybody ever done me harm
I'm going to ride old Railroad Bill

I've got a thirty-eight special on a forty-five frame
How in the world can I miss him when I got dead aim
I'm going to ride old Railroad Bill
Buy me a pistol just as long as my arm
Kill everybody ever done me harm
I'm going to ride old Railroad Bill

Honey, honey, think I'm a fool
Think I would quit you while the weather is cool
I'm going to ride old Railroad Bill