When I first started hoboin', hoboin', boy

I took a freight train to be my friend, oh Lord

Mmm

You know my mother she followed me that morning, me

That morning, that morning

She followed me down to the yard, oh Lord

Mmm

She said my son he's gone, he's gone, he's gone, he's gone

Yes, he's gone in the world somewhere, oh Lord

Mmm

You know I left my dear old mother, dear old mother,

Dear old mother

She was on her knees a'crying, oh Lord

Mmm