Beastie Boys

Railroad Blues

Beastie Boys


"All Aboard, Track 17, All Aboard'" 

YEEEHAAW 
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 things his next meal 
America was young 
But she was a growin' 
Layin' tracks across the prairie 
Not knowing where they're going 
His mother 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 received no replies 

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

Johhny 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 opened 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, 
'Ccause 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 things his next meal