I was five years old when daddy started packing
And I stood there by my mamma as she cried
And the next thing that we knew
Some old train came passing through
And daddy got on board
And we ain't seen him no more

I wonder why trains make me lonesome
It happens every time that engine moans
And when I hear that whistle blow
Ah, it makes my heart sink low
And I wonder why trains make me lonesome

It was a cold dark night when I drove her to the depot
There were tears in my eyes and a ticket in her hand
And as we stood there by those tracks
I knew she wasn't coming back
So I turned and walked away
But I still miss her today

I wonder why trains make me lonesome
It happens every time that engine moans
And when I hear that whistle blow
Ah, it makes my heart sink low
And I wonder why trains make me lonesome

Rest of this building looks like simple station
Those ink spots look like engine number nine
And this couch on which I lay
Supposed to haul my blues away
That old pipe you keep toking
Is like an old, cold engine smoking dark fear

I wonder why trains make me lonesome
It happens every time that engine moans
And when I hear that whistle blow
Ah, it makes my heart sink low
And I wonder why trains make me lonesome
Oh yes, I wonder why trains make me lonesome