The Brakeman's Blues

Portland, Maine
Is just the same
As sunny Tennessee-ee

Portland, Maine
Is just the same
As sunny Tennessee-ee-hee

Any old place
I hang my hat
Is home sweet home to me-ee

Odel-ay-he
Lay-he O-lee-o-lay-ee
Hey, hey, hey

I went to the depot

And looked up on the board
Went to the depot

And looked up on the board
Hello, Memphis

It said there's good times here

But it's better down the road
Odel-ay-he

Lay-he-ay-lee-o-lay-ee
I'll eat my breakfast here
Get my dinner in New Orleans

Right on down to Birmingham
Get my breakfast here

Get my dinner in New Orleans he-heens

I'm gonna get me a mama

Lawd, I ain't never see-een

Odel-ay-he
A-lay-he-ay-lee-o-lay-ee

Where was you mama
When the train left the shed?
Yeah, buddy

Where was you mama
When the train left the shed?

Standin' in my front door

Wishin' to God I was dead
Odel-ay-he

Lay-he-ay-lee-o-lay-ee
If your house catch-a fire
There ain't no water 'round
Sing them blues, boy!
If your house catch-a fire
There ain't no water 'round
Just put my trunk out the window
Let the house burn on down
Odel-ay-he
A-lay-he-ay-lee-o-lay-ee
If that's your mama
You better tie her to your side
If that's your mama
You better tie her to your side
Hush yo' noise!
'Cause if she flags my train
I'm sure gonna let her ride
Odel-ay-he
A-lay-he-ay-lee-o-lay-ee