From the railhead to the boatyard, from the factory to the farm
From the mine to the millyard, I've weathered the storm
From the bar room to the bedpost I've wasted my days
All I have is my drink and the time left to think
While the time slips away

Just look at my face as you tell me good-bye
You'll see what I'm after by the look in my eye
Just walk away and leave me alone
It's a long way back home

Now in case you should ask me, what it is that I've done
I say I'm a soldier who once had a son
But my son doesn't know me, that's his right to choose
Oh, say can you see, my best friend is me
I'm a friend I could use

Just look at my face when you tell me good-bye
You'll see what I'm after by the look in my eye
Just walk away and leave me alone
It's a long way back home

Now the pages have faded, the story grows cold
And the plot falls to ashes like the ruins of old
Those rats in my rafters, they're after my shoes
And anything else they can find on the shelf
I've said they could use

Just look at my face when you tell me good-bye
You'll see what I'm after by the look in my eye
Just walk away and leave me alone
It's a long way back home
It's a long way back home