I left New York 1949
To go across the country
Without a bad-blamed dime
Montana in the cold, cold fall
Found my father in a gambling hall

Father, father, where you been?
I've been in the world since I was only ten
Father, father, where you been?
I've been in the world since I was only ten

Don't worry about me
I'm about to die of the pleurisy

Cross the Mississippi
Cross the Tennessee
Cross the Niobrara
Home I'll never be

Home in old Medora
Home in ol' Truckee
Apalachicola
Home I'll never be

For better or for worse and thick and thin
Like being married to the little woman
God, He loves me like I love Him
I want you to do just the same for Him
Oh, the worms eat away
But don't worry, watch the wind
Oh, the worms eat away
But don't worry, watch the wind
Oh, the worms eat away
But don't worry, watch the wind

So I left Montana
On that old freight train
The night my father died
In the cold, cold rain

Home in old Medora
Home in ol' Truckee
Apalachicola
Home I'll never be
Home I'll never be
Home I'll never be