Written by - Gordon Lightfoot

Well I got my mail late last night

A letter from a girl who found the time to write

To her lonesome boy somewhere in the night

She sent me a railroad ticket too

To take me to her loving arms

And the big steel rail

Gonna carry me home to the one I love



Well I been out here many a long days

I haven't found a place that I could call my own

Not a two bit bed to lay my body on

I been stood up I been shook down

I bin dragged into the sand

And the big steel rail gonna carry me home to the one I love



Well I been up tight most every night

Walking along the streets of this old town

Not a friend to tell my troubles to

My good old car she done broke down

'Cause I drove it into the ground

And the big steel rail gonna carry me home to the one I love



Well look over yonder across the plain

The big drive wheels a-pounding along the ground

Gonna get on board and I'll be homeward bound

Now I ain't had a home cooked meal

And Lord I need one now

And the big steel rail gonna carry me home to the one I love



Now here I am with my head in the sand

Standing on the broad highway will you give a ride

To a lonesome boy who missed the train last night

I went in town for one last round

And I gambled my ticket away

And the big steel rail won't carry me home to the one I love