The Brakeman’s Blues

Portland, Maine
Is just the same
As sunny Tennessee-ee
Portland, Maine
Is just the same
As sunny Tennessee-ee-hee
Any old place
I hang my hat
Is home sweet home to me-ee
Odel-ay-he
Lay-he O-lee-o-lay-ee
Hey, hey, hey
I went to the depot
And looked up on the board
Went to the depot
And looked up on the board
Hello, Memphis
It said there’s good times here
But it’s better down the road
Odel-ay-he
Lay-he-ay-lee-o-lay-ee
I’ll eat my breakfast here
Get my dinner in New Orleans
Right on down to Birmingham
Get my breakfast here
Get my dinner in New Orleans he-heens
I’m gonna get me a mama
Lawd, I ain’t never see-een
Odel-ay-he
Where was you mama
When the train left the shed?
Yeah, buddy
Where was you mama
When the train left the shed?
Standin' in my front door
Wishin' to God I was dead
Odel-ay-he
Lay-he-ay-lee-o-lay-ee
If your house catch-a fire
There ain’t no water 'round
Sing them blues, boy!
If your house catch-a fire
There ain’t no water 'round
Just put my trunk out the window
Let the house burn on down
Odel-ay-he
If that’s your mama
You better tie her to your side
If that’s your mama
You better tie her to your side
Hush yo' noise!
'Cause if she flags my train
I’m sure gonna let her ride
Odel-ay-he