I'm just a rider
A rider on the rail
I'm just a rider on the rail
Where's this train a-going?
Fuck if I can tell
But I'm just a rider on the rail

Don't ask the captain, please
To tell you what's the reason
'Cause I'm sure he's long forgotten
The days when he was young,
And he carried by the ton,
Your corn and coal and cotton.

I'm just a rider
A rider on the rail
I'm just a rider on the rail
Where's this train a-going?
Well, far as I can tell
But I'm just a rider on the rail

Now stand in your place,
And man, don't look in my face
'Cause I'll do for you no favor
With no sense of remorse,
We'll stay our plotted course
From this we will not waver
No!

If you want my reasons for
Just why I joined the war
Well I'll tell you, I, I had to
'Cause when they tell you, "Son,
Stand straight and take this gun"
Well they also point one at you

I'm just a rider
A rider on the rail
I'm just a rider on the rail
Where's this train a-going?
Prob'ly straight to hell
But I'm just a rider on the rail

You can call me captain,
You can call me what you will
But I'm just a rider on the rail
I'm just a rider on the rail
Well I'm just a rider on the rail (Etc.)