Lonnie Donegan – Rock Island Line lyrics

Rock island line
Lonnie Donegan Skiffle Group

(The chorus is the only part sung. The rest
Is spoken)

Now this here's the story about the Rock Island Line
The Rock Island Line she runs down into New Orleasn
And just outside of New Orleans is a big toll gate
And all the trains that go through the toll gate
They gotta pay the man some money
But of course, if you got certain things on board
You're okay and you don't have to pay the man nothin
And just now we see a change comin down the line
When you come up to the toll gate
The driver, he shout down to the man
I got pigs, I got horses, I got cows
I got sheep, I got all livestock, I got all livestock
I got all livestock
The man say, you alright boy just
Get on through, you don't have to pay me nothin
And then the train go through
And when he go through the tollgate
The train gotta have a little bit of steam
And a little bit of speed
And when the driver think he safely on the other side
He shouts back down the line to the man
I fooled you, I fooled you
I got pig iron, I got pig iron
I got all pig iron,
Now I'll tell you where I'm goin boy

Chorus:

Down the rock island line is a might good road
Oh the rock island line is the road to ride
The rock island line is a mighty good road
Well if you want to ride you gotta ride it like you find it
Get your ticket at the station of the rock island line
Well I may be right, I may be wrong
You're gonna miss me when I'm gone

Chorus

Hey you are safe within
The good Lord's comin to see me again

Chorus

Abc wxyz
The cats on the cover but he don't see me

Chorus (repeat once)