Jon,
Whew, talk about a hard as nails view into another time and place. We can't travel in time yet, but with songs like these, we've got the next best thing.

Here is the other version of this good song. It's from Mrs. Thomas Dogel Manning in Iowa--USA. I found it in a book called Folklore Of Iowa --- 1936.

I am in your city, boys, trying to do what's right,
And you need not think, because I am poor, that I am not alright,
My pocketbook is empty, my heart is filled with pain,
I'm a thousand miles away from home trying to bum the train.

Down at the water tank waiting for a train,
Cold and hungry, I lay down--though it is in vain,
Thinking of those good old times---I hope they come again,
I'm a thousand miles away from home trying to bum the train.

I went down to the brakeman and we had a little drink,
Say, if you have any money, sir, you will not have to walk.
No money or no ticket, sir, pity me, I am poor.
Get out, get out, the brakeman said,
And he slammed the boxcar door.

I went down to the restaurant to get a bite to eat,
Got a little piece of bread, and a little bite of meat,
A piece of apple pie to suit my apatite,
I'm going to ride the flying rails a thousand miles tonight.

I stopped off in Denver and got stuck on a Danville girl,I am glad tonight she is out of sight--she wore those Denver curls,
She wore her hair up top of her head in the same old fashion too,
Just as the train came whizzing by, I kissed my love adieu.

Art Thieme