This here mandolin is carved out of pine
It was willed to me by an old hobo,way down the line
He donated this mandolin with these last words
"Before I cross over, Boy, I'll show you some chords"
This here mandolin's made out of earth and old stone
If the sound of the railroad makes you feel all alone
This here mandolin will take a hobo back home.

This here mandolin is sure full of sand
It'll play out-of-tune if there's a cop on the train
She'll sing you the song of the Super Chief out of St.Paul
And that ain't all
This here mandolin makes a young girl open her window
Like a warm bed on a rainy night
Like a hex-sign on a barn
This here mandolin will keep a hobo from harm

This here mandolin is carved out of pine
It was willed to me by an old hobo,way down the line
He donated this mandolin with these last words
"Before I cross over, Boy, I'll show you some chords"
This here mandolin is made out of barns and old water tanks
If the jukebox is busted and you need an old song
This here mandolin will take a hobo back home