Lay back in the tall gra** Last night I called home I walked down to the railyard And the misty great elm Heaven showed me her mercy Threw my bag inside On the old number seven I watched the sun rise I hear that bull coming I pray he takes heed My visions of mother Are all that I see That bull up in Cleveland Gave me a broke arm Dear Lord let him spare me I wish him no harm
My breath full of cinders The wind blows me cold The sounds of that freight train In my body are old Twenty-three years now I've not seen my home Tomorrow is Christmas And she's all alone --- Carolina I'm wishing her back Across two thousand -- miles Of standard guage track One last sip of whiskey To warm these old bone We just hit Kentucky In daylight I'm home