Catching the westbound number nine

Gonna leave this town, leave it far behind

Gonna leave while I've got my peace of mind

On the westbound number nine



Sittin' on the bank of Holy Creek down by the county line

I can hear the sound of Old Boss and Lazy Horse--he's howlin' right on time

He's howlin' at the sound of the #9 comin' down the line

And my mind catches a ride on the westbound number nine

And my mind catches a ride on the westbound number nine



Catching the westbound number nine

Gonna leave this town, leave it far behind

Gonna leave while I've got my peace of mind

On the westbound number nine



My Pa is with his moonshine friends

Drinkin Deacon Jones' bathtub gin

Deacon Jones preachin' about savin' souls

Yellin' out how the whole town is full of sin

But like Pa and all the rest

He tries to look down Bobbie Sue's low-cut dress

And my mind catches a ride on the westbound number nine

And my mind catches a ride on the westbound number nine



Ma, I see you're ashamed to look me in the face

As if I was nothing but a past mistake

Sittin' there at night when Pa comes stumblin' in

Full of the Deacon's bathtub gin

Swearin' and a-cussin' that I wasn't no kin

I heard his name but Ma knows what he should have been



Westbound number nine

Gonna leave this town, leave it far behind

Gonna leave while I've got my peace of mind

On the westbound number nine



Catching the westbound number nine

Gonna leave this town, leave it far behind

Gonna leave while I've got my peace of mind

On the westbound number nine



(repeat to fade