Now this song is dedicated

To all the hard workin' pioneers of this country

Setting out discovering the West

Bringin' a railroad to where no man has ever been before

Johnny he worked on a railroad

A poundin' on iron and steel

Workin' his way out West now

The only sure thing's his next meal

America was young

But she was a growin'

Layin' tracks across the prairie

Not knowing where they're going

His momma didn't wanna' leave him

But now he's in the 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 replies

Johnny he worked on a railroad

A poundin' on iron and steel

Workin' his way out West now

The only sure thing's his next meal

Johnny 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 minin'

Trying to send his Mama something

With the letters he was signing

Then one day Johnny finally got a reply

When he opens Mama's letter he began to cry

She's a writin' from her deathbed

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

A poundin' on iron and steel

Workin' his way out West now

The only sure thing's his next meal