Downbound Train

I had a job, I had a girl
I had something going, mister, in this world
I got laid off down at the lumber yard
Our love went bad. Times got hard
Now I work down at the carwash
Where all it ever does is rain
Don't you feel like you're a rider on a downbound train?

She just said "Joe, I gotta go. We had it once. We ain't got it any more."
She packed her bags left me behind
She bought a ticket on the Central Line
Nights as I sleep, I hear that whistle whining
I feel her kiss in the misty rain
And I feel like I'm a rider on a downbound train

Last night I heard your voice
You were crying, crying. You were so alone
You said your love had never died
You were waiting for me at home
Put on my jacket, I ran through the woods
I ran 'till I thought my chest would explode
There in the clearing, beyond the highway
In the moonlight, our wedding house shone
I rushed through the yard. I burst through the front door
My head pounding hard, up the stairs I climbed
The room was dark. Our bed was empty
Then I heard that long whistle whine
And I dropped to my knees, hung my head, and cried
Now I swing a sledge hammer on a railroad gang
Knocking down them cross ties, working in the rain
Now don't it feel like you're a rider on a downbound train?