Rock Island Line
Johnny cash瀀 Lyrics

Now, this here's a story about the Rock Island Line
This is a tale about the infamous Rock Island Line.

Well, the Rock Island Line she runs down into New Orleans
The Rock Island Line stretches all the way to New Orleans.

There's a big tollgate down there and you know
At one point on this line, there's a big toll station.

If you got certain things on board when you go through the tollgate
If you're carrying specific items when you pass through the tollgate.

Well, you don't have to pay the man no toll
The man at the tollgate won't charge you any fees.

Well, a train driver he pulled up to the tollgate
One day, a train driver stopped at the tollgate.

And a man hollered and asked him what all he had on board and said
A man shouted out to him and asked what kind of cargo he was carrying.

I got livestock
The engineer declared he had numerous kinds of animals with him.

I got cows
He had cows, too.

I got pigs
Pigs were among his livestock.

I got sheep
In addition, he was transporting a bunch of sheep.

I got mules
He also had a number of mules.

I got all livestock
It turns out he had a mixed variety of livestock on board.

Well, he said you're alright boy you don't have to pay no toll
Since his cargo was livestock, the man at the tollgate let him pass without paying.

You can just go right on through so he went on through the tollgate
Since he didn't need to pay, he drove on through the tollgate.

And as he went through he started pickin' up a little bit of speed
As he passed the tollgate, his train began to accelerate.

Pickin' up a little bit of steam
The train engine began to heat up.

He got on through he turned and looked back at the man he said
Once he cleared the toll station, he looked back and said to the man:

Well, I fooled you
I tricked you!

I fooled you
I got past without paying!

I got pig iron
In actuality, he was carrying pig iron on his train.

I got pig iron
Lots of pig iron.

I got old pig iron
In fact, all he carried was pig iron.

Down the Rock Island Line she's a mighty good road
The Rock Island Line is a fantastic railway.

Rock Island Line it's the road to ride
If you love train travel, the Rock Island Line is the one to ride.

Well, if you ride it you got to ride it like you find it
When you ride the Rock Island Line, you need to take what you get.

Get your ticket at the station for the Rock Island Line
Before you board the Rock Island Line, make sure to buy a ticket.

Looked cloudy in the west and it looked like rain
The western sky seemed overcast and ready for a rainstorm.

Round the curve came a passenger train
Suddenly, a passenger train appeared from around the bend.

North bound train on a southbound track
However, this northbound train was inexplicably headed in the opposite direction.

He's alright a leavin' but he won't be back
This train may be leaving, but it won't return.

Oh, I may be right and I may be wrong
I might be correct, or I may be mistaken.

But you're gonna miss me when I'm gone
Regardless, when I'm not around, you're going to feel my absence.

Well, the engineer said before he died
The train's engineer, moments before his demise, proclaimed:

There were two more drinks that he'd like to try
There remained two beverages the engineer wanted to taste.

The conductor said what could they be
The conductor asked what drinks he wanted before he died.

A hot cup of coffee and a cold glass of tea
The engineer wanted one final sip of both hot coffee and cold tea.