I had a job, I had a girl Had something going, mister, in this world
I got laid off, down at the yard All of it went bad
Times got hard, now at 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
Nighttime's asleep, I hear that whistle whining A bitter 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 cry-crying all so alone
Said your love had never died You were waiting for me at home
Put on my jacket, ran through the woods Ran till I thought my chest would explode
There in the clearing, beyond the highway In the moonlight, our wedding has shone
I rushed through the yard, I braced through the front door
Headbound and hard, up the stairs I cried 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 sledgehammer Working in the pouring rain
Now don't it feel like you're a rider On a downbound train
On a downbound train
On a downbound train
On a downbound train
On a downbound train
On a downbound train
On a downbound train