Well, I'm longing to ride on a freight train

Pull a slouch hat down low on my ears

I'm yearning to leave this old town on the fly

And lose all my troubles and cares

In this day of airplanes and highways

Hey the slow way is sometimes the best

I'm longing to ride on a freight train

And be a good old American guest

Yes I want to live on the land that I've loved and I've labored for

And spend a few days headed west

I'm longing to ride on a freight train

And be a good old American guest

Well, the pressures of life they got to me

And they got down deep in my soul

I'm tired of the rat race, want to go back to the slow pace

And hear a fast freight rattle and roll

I want to live out my days like a hobo

And take myself that long-needed rest

I'm longing to ride on a freight train

And be a good old American guest

Yes I want to live on the land that I've loved and I've labored for

And spend a few days headed west

I'm longing to ride on a freight train

And be a good old American guest