I had a job, i had a girl
i had something going, mister, in this world
i got laid off down at the lumber yard
our love went bad, times got hard
now i work down at the car wash
where all it ever does is rain
don't you feel like you're a rider on a downbound train
She just said, "joe, i gotta go
we had it once, we ain't got it anymore"
she packed her bags, left me behind
she bought a ticket on the central line
nights as i sleep, i hear that whistle whining
i feel her kiss in the misty rain
and i feel like i'm a rider on a downbound train
Last night i heard your voice
you were crying, crying, you were so alone
you said your love had never died
you were waiting for me at home
put on my jacket, i ran through the woods
i ran till i thought my chest would explode
there in the clearing, beyond the highway
in the moonlight, our wedding house shone
i rushed through the yard
i burst through the front door, my head pounding hard
up the stairs i climbed
the room was dark, our bed was empty
then i heard that long whistle whine
and i dropped to my knees, hung my head and cried
now i swing a sledge hammer on a railroad gang
knocking down them cross ties, working in the rain
now, don't it feel like you're a rider on a downbound train