where were you when the train left town
I was standing on the corner, my head hanging down
I be crying hey, train carried my girl away
I be crying hey, that train carried my girl away from town

ashes to ashes and dust to dust
show me the woman that I can trust
I be crying hey, train carried my girl away
I be crying hey, that train carried my girl away from town

I wish to the lord that train would wreck
kill the engineer and break that fireman's neck
I wish to the lord that train would turn around
bring my girl back to this here town
I be crying hey, train carried my girl away
I be crying hey, that train carried my girl away from town

smoke-cloud rising, heading for the west
there goes the baby that I love the best
smoke-cloud falling down from the sky
oh my girl won't you tell me why
train carried my girl away from town

where were you when the train left town?