In the land of the Ponderosa pine there runs a giant 8-wheeler

Known as the Big River Train

Just before she disappears into the forset she passes by a prison

Where many-a convicts has dreamed of riding her rails to freedom

I'd like to tel you a story as it was told to me

It's called The Legend Of The Big River Train



Keep that 8-wheel drive a rollin' let her lonesome whistle whine

For it tells the world a story as it whistles through the pines

In the death car lies a convict with a number for his name

And he's going home this morning on that old Big River Train

Well they brought him to this prison twenty years ago this date

Changed his name into a number then he became my prison mate

Somehow I knew he wasn't guilty from the very day he came

Yet they brought him to this prison on that old Big River Train

We became the best of buddies side by side through thick and thin

Then one night he told his story how he have framed by evil men

Men who bought and bribed the jury seekin' only selfish gain

Yes they sent an honest man to prison condemned him to a life of shame

Many many times I've heard him tell me when he'd hear that whistle blow

That same old train that brought me here pal is gonna take me home I know

I'll ride it back to my home country and there I'll clear my honest name

Well they shipped him back this morning on that old Big River Train

But he's gone to meek his Maker in a land that's bright and new

Gone to claim a peace of freedom that heaven knows was overdue

Of a crime he wasn't guilty just a victim of a frame

Yes he came and now he's leavin' on that old Big River Train

And he's going home this morning on that old Big River Train