All day, everyday

I swing my hammer to the metal on the northern railway

Always a movie playing in my head

A million movies starring you and me

Moonshine every night

Eating supper by the fire out in the clear moonlight

Ankles crossed, hands behind my head

Telling stories, singing songs about the west

I'm always thinking of you

Staring off down the railroad line

One sweet day i will see you

But i'll swing the hammer until

The empire builder brings me home

For two months and two odd weeks

Sometimes days go by in which nobody speaks

From illinois to washington

There ain't nothing but the hammer to the rail

One day when this track runs through

I'm gonna buy a new suit and come looking for you

Care free, you and me

We'll take the empire builder to the sea

And i'm always thinking of you

Staring off down the railroad line

One sweet day i will see you

But i'll swing the hammer until

The empire builder brings me home