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 and times got hard
now I work down at the car wash
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 crossties, working in the rain
now don't it feel like you're a rider on a downbound train?

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