Prettiest Train

Prettiest train, oh Lord, I've ever seen, dear Lordy
Prettiest train, oh Lord, I've even seen
Prettiest tran, oh Lord, I've ever seen, dear Lordy
It runs from Jackson back to New Orleans
New Orleans, oh Lordy, New Orleans, dear Lordy
It runs from Jackson back to New Orleans

Mattie when you marrry, don't marry no convict man, oh dear Lordy
Mattie when you marry don't marry no convict man
Mattie when you marry don't marry no convict man, dear Lordy
Every day a Monday hoe handle (hammer) in your hand
In your hand, oh Lordy, in your hand dear Lordy
Every day a Monday hoe handle (hammer) in your hand

(you get the pattern from here)

Mattie when you marry, marry a railroad man dear Lordy
Every day a Sunday dollar in your hand

Prettiest woman that I've ever seen, dear Lordy
I declare, on Rampart Street in New Orleans

I'm going when I get my role (paroled), dear Lordy
Stand on the Levee hear the big boats blow

You go to Jackson just to show your clothes
I go to Jackson shoot that dice in hole

You go to Memphis don't you hang around
Police get you & you workhouse bound

This was normally used as a hoeing song (bustng clods, chopping weeds, tilling,etc.). Barry