They tell me the Rock Island  is a mean old train to ride
They tell me the Rock Island  is a mean old train to ride
And the reason I know it is  I've got my baby by my side
I hear the train whistle blowin'  I know it's coming 
after me
I hear the train whistle blowin'  I know it's coming 
after me
And I believe I'll go back  To my old time used to be
It's a long freight train  with a red and green light 
behind
It's a long freight train  with a red and green light 
behind
Says the red mean danger  and that green means a ramblin' 
mind
Says I went down to the station  baby and I looked up on 
the board
Says I went down to the station  baby and I looked up on 
the board
I asked the depot agent  did my baby go down the road?