Rock Island Line
Chris Barber And His Jazz Band Lyrics

Now this here's the story about the Rock Island Line
This is a tale about a famous railroad called the Rock Island Line.

The Rock Island Line she runs down into New Orleans
This railroad extends down to the city of New Orleans.

It's just outside of New Orleans is a big toll gate
A large toll gate is located near the city limits of New Orleans.

You know all the trains that go through the toll gate
Every train that goes through the toll gate is subject to inspection.

They gotta pay the man some money
Each train must pay a fee to the inspector at the toll gate.

But of course, if you got certain things on board
Some trains have special permits or goods that exempt them from the toll gate fee.

You're okay and you don't have to pay the man nothin'
If you have the necessary permits, the inspector will allow your train to pass without paying a fee.

And just now we see a change comin down the line
There is a new approach being taken with the toll gate inspection process.

When you come up to the toll gate
As your train approaches the toll gate...

The driver, he shout down to the man and he says
The train conductor yells down to the inspector at the toll gate...

I got pigs, I got horses, I got cows
I have various types of livestock aboard my train.

I got sheep, I got all livestock, I got all livestock
I have all types of livestock on this train.

The man say, 'Well, you alright boy, just get on through
The inspector says that this train has the necessary permits and can proceed without paying a fee.

You don't have to pay me nothin'
The toll gate fee is waived for this train.

And then the train go through
The train is able to pass through the toll gate without any problems.

And when he go through the tollgate
As the train is exiting the toll gate...

The train gotta have a little bit of steam and a little bit of speed
The train needs to speed up a bit to clear the toll gate area.

And when the driver think he safely on the other side
The conductor believes that the train has successfully cleared the toll gate area.

He shouts back down the line to the man and he says
The conductor yells back to the inspector at the toll gate...

I fooled you, I fooled you
The conductor tricked the inspector by pretending to have only livestock on board.

I got pig iron, I got pig iron
In reality, the train is carrying pig iron, which is subject to a toll gate fee.

I got all pig iron
The cargo consists entirely of pig iron.

Now I'll tell you where I'm goin' boy
The conductor shares his destination with the inspector...

Down the rock island line is a might good road
The Rock Island Line is a great railroad.

The rock island line is the road to ride, yeah
This is a highly recommended mode of transportation.

Well, if you want to ride you gotta ride it like you find it get your ticket at the station Of the rock island line
If you want to travel on the Rock Island Line, you have to be willing to accept its conditions and purchase a ticket at the station.

I may be right, I may be wrong
My opinions may not be entirely accurate.

You know, you're gonna miss me when I'm gone
When I am no longer here, you will realize how much you appreciated me.

Hey you, are safe within
Those who are virtuous will be protected from harm...

The good Lord's comin' to see me again
...as the Lord watches over and takes care of me.

A, B, C, W, X, Y, Z
The conductor recites the alphabet.

The cats on the cupboard but he don't see me
There is a cat on the cupboard, but it is not paying attention to me.

Rock island line is a might good road
The Rock Island Line is a highly recommended railroad.

Oh, the rock island line is the road to ride
This railroad is a great way to travel.

If you want to ride you gotta ride it like you find it get your ticket at the station Of the rock island line
If you want to travel on the Rock Island Line, you have to be willing to accept its conditions and purchase a ticket at the station.

Rock island line is a mighty good road
The Rock Island Line is a highly recommended railroad.

Oh, the rock island line is the road to ride
This railroad is a great way to travel.

If you want to ride you gotta ride it like you find it get your ticket at the station Of the rock island line
If you want to travel on the Rock Island Line, you have to be willing to accept its conditions and purchase a ticket at the station.

Down the rock island line is a might good road
The Rock Island Line is a great way to travel.

Oh, the rock island line is the road to ride
This railroad is a highly recommended mode of transportation.

The rock island line is a mighty good road
The Rock Island Line is a highly recommended railroad.

If you want to ride you gotta ride it like you find it get your ticket at the station Of the rock island line
If you want to travel on the Rock Island Line, you have to be willing to accept its conditions and purchase a ticket at the station.