He rode the rails since the Great Depression

Fifty years out on the skids

He said "You don't cross nobody

You'll be all right out here kid."



Left my family in Pennsylvania

Searchin' for work I hit the road

I met Frank in East Texas

In a freight yard blown through with snow

From New Mexico to Colorado

California to the sea

Frank he showed me the ropes sir

Just till I could get back on my feet



I hoed sugar beets outside of Firebaugh

I picked the peaches from the Marysville trees

They bunked us in a barn just like animals

Me and a hundred others just like me



We split up come the springtime

I never seen Frank again

'Cept one rainy night he blew by me on a grainer

Shouted my name and disappeared in the rain and wind



They found him shot dead outside of Stockton

His body lyin' on a muddy hill

Nothin' taken nothin' stolen

Somebody killin' just to kill



Late that summer I was rollin' through the plains of Texas

A vision passed before my eyes

A small house sittin' trackside

With the glow of the savior's beautiful light

A woman stood cookin' in the kitchen

Kid sat at a table with his old man

Now I wonder does my son miss me

Does he wonder where I am



Tonight I pick my campsite carefully

Outside the Sacramento yard

Gather some wood and light a fire

In the early winter dark



Wind whistling cold I pull my coat around me

Heat some coffee and stare out into the black night

I lie awake I lie awake sir

With my machete by my side



My Jesus your gracious love and mercy

Tonight I'm sorry could not fill my heart

Like one good rifle

And the name of who I ought to kill