This song is available on James Coffey's My Mama Was A Train.

Bringin' on water and shovelin' coal
Tryin' to make some honest pay
My Papa said, "Son, it's a good old job"
"Just a workin' on the railway"
Up with the sun most everyday
Down to the railroad yard
Drivin' those spikes and liftin' ties
And fixin' those railroad cars

Chorus:
I'm workin', I'm workin', I'm workin' hard
Just a workin' in the railway yard
I'm workin', I'm workin', I'm workin' hard
Just a workin' in the railway yard

Spreadin' that gravel underneath the tracks
Replacin' those worn out ties
The sound of the metal hittin' iron and steel
As another train rolls by
Swingin' that hammer 'til my body aches
Poundin' 'til my hands are red
Doin' everything from checkin' brakes
To buildin' the flagman's shed

Chorus

I tell everyone the pay ain't much
And the work is mighty hard
They say, "Joe, why don't you quit
A workin' in the railway yard?"
But I just smile and shake my head
'Cause I could never see the day
When I'm not gettin' my hands a dirty
Just a workin' on the railway

Chorus

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Transportation Songs