Well, a punch o 'clock at dawn
and worked the rail yard all day long
I walked them tracks with a
And at the en d of every day,
I head to the bar and stay
Till all my aches and sorrows
On that great northern railroad
I live, I've been growin' old
And I left my dreams behind
My kids won't ever have to see
Life on that great northern railroad
Well, time has had its way with me,
live with the pain of my injuries
I once laid these tracks of pride
for a train that never arrives
Guess that's gonna be my legacy
On that great northern railroad,
And I left my dreams behind
My kids won't ever have to see
Life on that great northern railroad
Well, I care for my family so,
but I reckon they'll never know
Unless I lay that bottle down,
I'm just a loving, angry man,
unhappy with the good Lord's plan
And I'll pray I'll be forgiven when I go
On that great northern railroad,
And I left my dreams behind
My kids won't ever have to see
Great Northern Railroad line
My grandkids won't ever have to see
Great Northern Railroad line