I used to be a railroad bum,
a-living on the dole
I rode freights from Canada down to Mexico
From sunny Cal to Minnesota where the rippling waters fall
I never seem to have a dime,
but I have myself a ball
Singing hi-lee, hi-lo, hi-li-li-lo
I used to be a railroad bum,
but I'm not anymore Singing hi-lee,
hi-lo,
hi-li-li-lo
I used to be a railroad bum,
but I'm not anymore I walked into Silver Dollar in Minnow one night
I dropped a quarter in a one-armed
bandit and the lemons turned upright
Took my winnings,
then played poker and I won ten thousand more
I used to be a railroad bum,
but I'm not anymore Singing hi-lee,
hi-lo,
hi-li-li-lo
In Cottonless Vine in Tennessee,
in Shrimp Bowl and Sail in Maine
Each picking time soon will find me riding the Georgia train
But I get restless when I'm still,
I guess I always will
Wanna keep traveling all my life over another hill
Singing hi-lee,
hi-lo, hi-li-li-lo
I used to be a railroad bum, but I'm not anymore
Singing hi-lee, hi-lo, hi-li-li-lo
I used to be a railroad bum, but I'm not anymore