Well I broke down in E. St. Louis
On the Kansas City line
and I drunk up all my money

that I borrowed every time
and I fell down at the derby
and now the night's black as a crow

It was a train that took me away from here
but a train can't bring me home
What made my dreams so hollow

was standing at the depot
with a steeple full of swallows
that could never ring the bell

and I come ten thousand miles away
with not one thing to show
well it was a train that took me away from here

but a train can't bring me home
I remember when I left
without bothering to pack

you know I up and left with
just the clothes I had on my back
now I'm sorry for what I've done

and I'm out here on my own
well it was a train that took me away from
here but a train can't bring me home