I had a job, i had a girl
Had something going, mister, in this world
I got laid off down at the yard
Our love went bad, times got hard

Now i work down at the car wash
Where all it ever does is rain
Don't you feel like you're a rider
On a downbound train?

She just said, "joe, i gotta go
We had it once, we ain't got it anymore"
She packed her bags, left me behind
She bought a ticket on the central line

Nights as i sleep, i hear that whistle whining
I feel her kiss in the misty rain
And i feel like i'm a rider
On a downbound train

Last night, i heard your voice
You were cry-crying, oh so alone
Said your love had never died
You were waiting for me at home

Put on my jacket, ran through the woods
Ran 'til i thought my chest would explode
There in the clearing, beyond the highway
In the moonlight, our wedding house shone

I rushed through the yard, i burst through the front door
Head pounding hard, up the stairs i climbed
The room was dark, our bed was empty, then i heard that long whistle whine
And i dropped to my knees, hung my head and cried

Now i swing a sledgehammer
Working in the pouring rain
Now don't it feel like you're a rider
On a downbound train?