Beastie Boys Railroad Blues Lyrics

"All aboard, track 17, all aboard'"
Yeehaw!
Now this song is dedicated
To all the hard workin' pioneers of this country
Setting out discovering the West
Bringin' a railroad to where no man has ever been before

Johnny he worked on a railroad
A poundin' on iron and steel
Workin' his way out West now
The only sure thing's his next meal

America was young
But she was a growin'
Layin' tracks across the prairie
Not knowing where they're going

His momma didn't wanna' leave him
But now he's in the West
She said, "Please don't go"
But he said, "If I don't I'll never rest"

It wasn't always easy
Some of the boys died
Johnny wrote her letters
But he received no replies

Johnny he worked on a railroad A poundin' on iron and steel
Workin' his way out West now
The only sure thing's his next meal

Johnny reached San Francisco
Tired and broke without a dime
Started panning for gold
Just a hopin' he would find

The gold wasn't a rushin'
But Johnny kept on minin'
Trying to send his Mama something
With the letters he was signing

Then one day Johnny finally got a reply
When he opens Mama's letter, he began to cry
She's a writin' from her deathbed and this is what she said
"Please don't be mad at me son 'cause tomorrow I'll be dead"

Johnny he worked on a railroad
A poundin' on iron and steel
Workin' his way out West now
The only sure thing's his next meal