I had a job, I had a girl
I had something going mister in this world
I got laid off down at the lumber yard
Our love went bad, times got hard
Now I work down at the carwash, where all it ever does is rain
Don't you feel like you're a rider on a downbound train

She just said "Joe I gotta go, we had it once we ain't got it anymore"
She packed her bags left me behind
She bought a ticket on the Central Line
Nights as I sleep, I hear that whistle whining
I feel her kiss in the misty rain
And I feel like I'm a rider on a downbound train

Last night I heard your voice
You were crying, crying
You were so alone
You said your love had never died
You were waiting for me at home
Put on my jacket, I ran through the woods
I ran till I thought my chest would explode
There in the clearing, beyond the highway, in the moonlight, our wedding house shone
I rushed through the yard
I burst through the front door
My head pounding hard

Up the stairs I climbed, the room was dark, our bed was empty
Then I heard that long whistle whine and I dropped to my knees, hung my head and cried

Now I swing a sledge hammer on a railroad gang knocking down them cross ties ; working in the rain
Now don't it feel like you're a rider on a downbound train