I used to be a railroad bum a living on the go I rode freights from Canada down to Mexico From sunny Cal to Minnesotta where the rippling waters fall I never seemed to have a dime but I had myself a ball Singing hi le hi lo he li le li lo I used to be a railroad bum always on the go I walked in the Silver Dollar in Reno one night Dropped a quarter in a one armed bandit the lemons lined up right Took my winnings then played poker and I won ten thousand more I used to be a railroad bum but I'm not anymore Singing hi le hi lo he li le li lo I used to be a railroad bum but I'm not anymore [ guitar ] When cotton's white in Tennessee and shrimp boats sail in Maine Peach picking time soon will find me ridin' a Georgia train I get restless when I'm still I guess I always will I wanna keep travelin' all my life over another hill Singing hi le hi lo he li le li lo I used to be a railroad bum but I'm not anymore