A long black engine keeps a rolling along its wheels goin' clickety-clack   She's carrying me to war that eastern seaboard Louisiana I ain't comin' back      And I sit all alone in an empty box listen to the engine roar   And I see the world that she oughta be seen   Through a crack in the boxcar door   [ guitar ]   A hobo's life is a lonely life and I'm restless son of a gun   So I'll keep a riding these ribbons of steel and wait for my setting sun   And I sit all alone...   [ guitar ]   The engineer is pulling her down and I reckon we ain't going to stop   And I'll be a dodgin' the man with a stick I hear him a walkin' on top   And I sit all alone...   [ guitar ]   Most folks think I'm a crazy man at all of hoboes like me   But I let the bottle that holds all the world and I'll die happy and free      And I reckon I'll die in an empty box listen to the engine roar   I'll take the last long look at ther world that I love   Through a crack in this boxcar door   I'll take the last long look at ther world that I love   Through a crack in this boxcar door