I knew the man who stole more miles
Along the southern rails
Fifty-five years he rode those trains
On plains and mountain trails

I don't know what possessed my kin
If running from or to
But he loved those long freight trains
The only home he knew

It wasn't that he cared so much
Where those big wheels would roll
It was always in the going
That satisfied his soul

You couldn't tie my cousin down
On icy days or warm
A whistling train was in his thoughts
The day he bought the farm

I'm very sure what Heaven's like
For that old pal of mine
It has to be a long long freight
On a long long railroad line.....