When I was a little boy I used to lie in my bed,
and listen for the nine-0-nine,
It never ran on Christmas or the day that Jesus died,
but every other day it ran on time,
It always made me lonesome but it brought me comfort,
and what it did to me I can't explain,
And as I wonder through this harsh and gentle world,
Oh every now and then I wish I was a train,
(chorus)
Roll on roll on into the dark night,
Leavin' all my troubles behind,
Carryin' my soul far far away,
Oh every now and then, I wish I was a train,
I loaded trucks in Isa rode the dingo fences,
cursed the ganger on the western line,
Started throwin' punches in a bar at Charters Towers,
They threw the book at me I did my time,
(bridge)
Cause a train don't weep a train don't feel,
heartache sadness and pain,
And when I die just let my spirit ride,
on the boxcar of an ever rollin train,
(chorus)
Roll on roll on into the dark night,
Leavin' all my troubles behind,
Carryin' my soul far far away,
Oh every now and then, I wish I was a train,
I loaded trucks in Isa rode the dingo fences,
cursed the ganger on the western line,
Started throwin' punches in a bar at Charters Towers,
They threw the book at me I did my time,