This song is dedicated to all the hard working pioneers of this country, settin' out discovering the west, bringing the railroad to where no man has ever been before.
(chorus) Johnny he worked on a railroad Building on iron and steel Working his way wout west now The only sure thing's his next meal
America was young But she was a grownin' Laying tracks across a prairie Not knowing where they're going
His mama didn't want him leaving But now he's heading out west She said please don't go But he said if I don't i'll never rest
It wasn't always easy Some of the boys died Johnny wrote her letters But he received no reply
Johnny he worked on a railroad Building on iron and steel Working his way out west now The only sure thing's his next meal
Johny reached San Francisco Tired and broke without a dime Started panning for gold Just a hopin' he would find
The gold wasn't a rushin' But Johnny kept on mining Trying to send his mama something With the letters he was signing
Then one day Johnny finally got a reply When he opened mama's letter he began to cry She was weiting from her death bed And this is what she said Please don't be mad at me son 'Cause tomorrow I'll be dead
Johnny he worked on a railroad Building on iron and steel Working his way out west now The only sure thing's his next meal
