Long Gone

I laks yo’ kin’ of lovin’
Ain’t never caught you wrong
But it jes ain’ nachal
Fo’ to stay here long;

It jes ain’ nachal
Fo’ a railroad man
With a itch fo’ travelin’
He cain’t understan’. . . .

I looks at de rails
An’ I looks at de ties
An’ I hears an ole freight
Puffin’ up de rise,

An’ at nights on my pallet
When all is still
I listens fo’ de empties
Bumpin’ up de hill;

When I oughta be quiet
I is got a itch
Fo’ to hear de whistle blow
Fo’ de crossin’ or de switch,

An’ I knows de time’s a nearin’
When I got to ride
Though it’s homelike and happy
At your side.

You is done all you could do
To make me stay;
’Tain’t no fault of yours I’se leavin’—
I’se jes dataway.

I is got to see some people
I ain’ never seen,
Gotta highball thu some country
Whah I never been. . . .

I don’t know which way I’m travelin’—
Far or near,
All I knows fo’ certain is
I cain’t stay here.

Ain’t no call at all, sweet woman,
Fo’ to carry on—
Jes my name and jes my habit
To be Long Gone. . . .