[Chorus]
Working on a railroad for a dollar a day
Working on a railroad for a dollar a day
Working on a railroad, good buddy, for a dollar a day
Gotta get my money, gotta get my pay

[Verse 1]
Take this hammer, take it to the captain
Take this hammer, take it to the captain
Take this hammer, good buddy, take it to the captain
Tell him I'm gone, tell him I'm gone

[Verse 2]
If he ask you was I running
If he ask you was I running
If he ask you, good buddy, was I running
Tell him I was flying, tell him I was flying

[Instrumental Break]

[Verse 3]
If he ask you was I laughing
If he ask you was I laughing
If he ask you, good buddy, was I laughing
Tell him I was crying, tell him I was crying
[Verse 4]
This old hammer ring like silver
This old hammer ring like silver
This old hammer, good buddy, ring like silver
Shine like gold, buddy, and it shine like gold

[Chorus]
Working on a railroad for a dollar a day
Working on a railroad for a dollar a day
Working on a railroad, good buddy, for a dollar a day
Gotta get my money, gotta get my pay

[Post-Chorus]
I gotta get my money, gotta get my pay
Gotta get my money, gotta get my pay
I gotta get my money, gotta get my pay