A wild and reckless hobo
Who left his happy home
Started upon a western trip
All by himself alone
Upon this western trip
We're going to have lots of fun
But upon this western trip
This is the song he sung
[Instrumental break]
I stepped up on the platform
Smoking a cheap cigar
Waiting to catch a freight train
To catch an empty car
I buttoned my coat up closely
Walked off down the track
I caught the steps of a sleeper car
I never did look back
[Instrumental break]
They put me off at Danville
Got stuck on a Danville girl
You bet your life, she's out of sight
She wore those Danville curls
She wore her hat on the back of her head
Like high-toned people do
If the western train pulls through this town
I'll bid that girl adieu
[Instrumental break]
My pocketbook is empty
My heart is filled with pain
10,000 miles away from home
Hoboing an old freight train