The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

RAILROAD BILL

RAILROAD BILL, RAILROAD BILL, HE NEVER WORKED AND
HE NEVER WILL, GONNA RIDE ON RAILROAD BILL. RAILROAD BILL HE WAS A
MIGHTY MEAN MAN, HE SHOT THE MIDNIGHT LANTERN OUT OF THE BRAKEMAN'S
HANDS, I'M GONNA RIDE ON RAILROAD BILL. RAILROAD BILL TOOK MY WIFE,
SAID IF I DIDN'T LIKE IT HE WOULD TAKE MY LIFE, I'M GONNA RIDE
ON RAILROAD BILL. GOIN' UP ON A MOUNTAIN, GOIN' OUT WEST, 38 SPECIAL
STICKIN' OUT OF MY VEST, I'M GONNA RIDE ON RAILROAD BILL. BUY ME
A PISTOL JUST AS LONG AS MY ARM, BLAST EVERYBODY EVER DONE ME HARM,
I'M GONNA RIDE ON RAILROAD BILL. I'VE GOT A 38 SPECIAL ON A 45 FRAME,
HOW IN THE WORLD CAN I MISS HIM WHEN I GOT DEAD AIM? I'M GONNA RIDE
ON RAILROAD BILL. BABY, BABY, THINK I'M A FOOL? THINK I'D LEAVE
YOU WHILE THE WEATHER IS COOL? I'M GONNA RIDE ON RAILROAD BILL.

Submitter comment: IT IS INTERESTING TO NOTE THE NUMBER OF TIMES THE TERM "GOT A
PISTOL JUST AS LONG AS MY ARM (OR LEG)" IS USED IN FOLK SONG.
ALSO, THE RHYME OF LIFE AND WIFE IS USED A LOT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS

Date learned: CA03001974