I got my mail late last night
A letter from a girl who found the time to write
To her lonely boy somewhere in the night
She sent me a railroad ticket too
To take me to her loving arms
And the big steel rail gonna carry me home to the one I love

Well I been up tight most every night
Walking around the streets of this old town
Not a friend around to tell my troubles to
My good old car done broke down
'Cause I drove it into the ground
And the big steel rail gonna carry me home to the one I love

Well look over yonder across that plain
The big drive wheels is coming around to town
I'm gonna get on board and I'll be homeward bound
I ain't had a home cooked meal
Lord I need one now
And the big steel rail gonna carry me home to the one I love

Well here I stand, hat in my hand
Walking down the big highway can you give a ride
To a lonely boy who missed the train last night
I went in town for one last round
And gambled my ticket away
And the big steel rail gonna carry me home to the one I love