What I wanna know is, how come you can never find a good ethnofolkmusicologist when you need one? This song has a history to it, and I believe there oughta be one person out there in Mudcatland who knows that story.
Anyone?
Click for lyrics and MIDI

I am aware of this:

Down by the station.

This is for the people who never rode the train, whether in California or even up in Maine
Makes no diff'rence if you're two or a hundred and two,
You'll get a treat when you order a seat on the ole choo-choo.

Chorus: Down by the station early in the morning, see the little puffer bellies all in a row
See the station master turn the little handle,
Chug, chug, toot, toot, off we go.

Music by: Ricks, Lee, and Slim Gaillard.
Words by: Ricks, Lee, and Slim Gaillard.
P/P/D: New York : American Academy of Music Inc., c1948.
Location: SPC, KIRK PS 1948-1951

...but this is an variation of an older song, with an introductory verse added by Gaillard & Ricks. It seems the "down by the station" verse should be much older.

I learned it as "pufferbillies."

-Joe Offer-