Rock Island Line

(Arr. Johnny Horton)

Now this here is the story about the Rock Island Line
Now, the Rock Island Line, she runs down into New Orleans
And just 'fore you're getting' into New Orleans, –why, they got a big tollgate
Where you've got to pay the man just some money
Goin' through, you've got certain things on board, you're okay
You've to pay the man nothin'
Right now, we see a train, she pulls into the station
Man he sticks his head out of the window and he yells down to me
I got pigs, I got horses, I got cows, I got sheep
I got all livestock – I got all livestock – I got all livestock
The man says, Boy, you're okay, you go on through
You don't do pay nothin' – so the man, he goes on through
Train goin' down away from the station a little bit while
Started pickin' up a little bit of speed
And then started pickin' up a little bit the steam
Drivers thinks, he's safe on the other side of the man
So he sticks his head out of the window
And he yells back down the line there to me
Well, I fooled you – I fooled you, I got pick – iron – I got pick – iron
I got only pick – iron, yeah – yeah
Now, I tell you when I go on board

Refrain:
Down the Rock Island Line, she's a mighty good road
Rock Island Line, it's a road to ride
Yeah, the Rock Island Line, she's a mighty good road
If you ride it, you've got a-runnin' there to find it
Get your ticket at the station, it's the Rock Island Line

Well, the A-B-C-W-X-Y-Z
You catch some under cover, but you don't see me

Refrain:

Well, I may be right and I may be wrong
I bet, she gonna miss me when I'm gone

Refrain:        2x