where were you when the train left town I was standing on the corner, my head hanging down I be crying hey, train carried my girl away I be crying hey, that train carried my girl away from town ashes to ashes and dust to dust show me the woman that I can trust I be crying hey, train carried my girl away I be crying hey, that train carried my girl away from town I wish to the lord that train would wreck kill the engineer and break that fireman's neck I wish to the lord that train would turn around bring my girl back to this here town I be crying hey, train carried my girl away I be crying hey, that train carried my girl away from town smoke-cloud rising, heading for the west there goes the baby that I love the best smoke-cloud falling down from the sky oh my girl won't you tell me why train carried my girl away from town where were you when the train left town?