I was eighteen years old and I felt like a man
Layin' tracks through the countryside, I had a plan
And I couldn't see no future in these northern towns

That's when I heard the whistle, it was callin' me down
Chorus
It said get on board, this ain't no train

It's a living legend, from way back when
And it rolls by that highway in a parallel line
Through the rest of these towns, the world left behind


Now the pool halls and the junk yards were a place to call home
Hangin' out with the good ol' boys, no one was alone

And when it came time for leavin', we did it one by one
That's when I heard the whistle, it was callin' me down
Chorus

It said get on board, this ain't no train
It's a living legend from way back when
And it rolls by that highway in a parallel line

Through the rest of these towns, the world left behind

Bridge

No I didn't have to run
Cause there was no where to hide
But when the whistle called me down

That's when I knew it was time
Chorus
It said get on board, this ain't no train

It's a living legend from way back when
And it rolls by that highway in a parallel line
Through the rest of these towns

This little old world left behind
Word and Music by Mark Manthei copyright Sept 13 1983