I have listened to the recording and I believe this transcription is accurate:


THIS HERE MANDOLIN
As recorded by Michael Smith on “Time” (1994)

This here mandolin is carved out of pine.
It was willed unto me by a hobo down the line.
He donated this mandolin with these last words:
“Before I pass over, boy, I'll show you some chords.”
This here mandolin is made out of earth and stone.
Mm-mm-mm-mm.
If the sound of the railroad makes you feel all alone,
This here mandolin takes a hobo back home.

This here mandolin is sure full of sand.
It only plays out of tune when there's a cop on the train.
It can play you the rhythm of the Super Chief
Out of St. Paul, and that ain't all.
This here mandolin make a young girl open up her window.
Mm-mm-mm-mm.
Like a warm bed on a rainy night, like a hex sign on a barn,
This here mandolin keeps a hobo from harm.

This here mandolin can play the hard times,
Play the booze and the bread lines, and the men killed for dimes.
It can play you the cry in the night
Of a jungle-fire band deep in the heart of this land.
This here mandolin is made out of old barns and water tanks.
Mm-mm-mm-mm.
If the jukebox is busted and you need you an old song,
This here mandolin takes a hobo back home,
Takes a hobo back home.