Standing at the sidetrack at the south end of the town

On a dry hot dusty August day the steam pipe blowing down

The fireman with his long oil can oiling the old valve gear

Waiting for the fast mail train the semaphore to clear.



The engineer in the old high cab his gold watch in his hand

Looking at the water glass and letting down the sand

Rolling out on the old main line and taking up the slack

Gone today so they say but tomorrow he'll be coming back.



Oh if I could return to those boyhood days of mine

And the green light on the southern Southern Railroad Line.



Creeping down the rusty rails of the weed grown branch line

The section houses gray and white by the yard and limit sign

The hoggers call the old highball no more time to wait

Rolling down to Birmingham with a ten car load of freight.



The whistle screamed with a hiss of steam the headlight gleams clear

The drivers roll on the green go getting mighty near

Handing out the orders to the engine crew on time

It's the Alabama Great Southern AGS Railroad Line.



(Chorus)