I used to work for the New Jersey Railroad
I got laid off 'cause the times weren't good
My unemployment sixty-five dollars
Sixty-five dollars don't buy what it should
 
I have a-a weakness for 80-proof whiskey
Lately I'm drinkin' a bottle every day
Messin' my mind up, lord, it's wreckin' my body
But it helps make those long lonely hours slip away
 
I used to be a railroad man, and I'm damn proud of it, too
I did more work in a workin' day, than any two men could do
Foreman said I drink too much and I guess it's half-way true
I drink half as much as my daddy did, and twice as much as you
 
I used to have me a good lookin' woman
Loved her and kept her, and called her my own
She started packin' when I started drinkin'
Now I'm drunk, and I'm busty, and I'm angry all alone
 
I used to be a railroad man, and I'm damn proud of it, too
I did more work in a workin' day, than any two men could do
Foreman said I drink too much and at last I know it's true
But I'm too far gone to change now, ain't nothin' I can do
