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Railroad Bill

by John Jackson

on Classic Appalachian Blues from Smithsonian Folkways (2010)

Railroad Bill he said that he will
He never worked and he never will
Let him ride a new Railroad Bill

Railroad Bill he rode out west
Shot brass buttons off the sheriff's vest
Let him ride new Railroad Bill

Sweet old McKinley he shot so fine
Shot nine holes through a silver dime
Let him ride new Railroad Bill

Cemetery buggy and cemetery hack
Take old Kin' to the graveyard but ain't gon bring him back
Let him ride new Railroad Bill

Some give a nickel some give a dime
I wouldn't give five dollars for that girl of mine
Let her ride new Railroad Bill

Where's my 'jamas, start my overhaul
Over come home from that cannonball
Let him ride a new Railroad Bill

Railroad Bill he said that he will
He has never worked and he never will
Let him ride a new Railroad Bill