This here mandolin is carved out of pine
It was willed unto me by a hobo down the line
He donated this mandolin with these last words
Before I pass over boy I'll show you some chords
This here mandolin is made out of earth and stone
If the sound of the railroad
Makes you feel all alone
This here mandolin takes a hobo back home

This here mandolin is sure full of sand
It only plays out of tune when there's a cop on the train
It can play you the rhythm of the Super Chief out of Saint Paul
And that ain't all
This here mandolin can make a young girl open up her window
Like a warm bed on a rainy night
Like a hex sign on a barn
This here mandolin keeps a hobo from harm

This here mandolin can play the hard times
Play the booze and the breadlines and the men killed for dimes
It can play you the cry in the night of a jungle fire band
Deep in the heart of this land
This here mandolin is made out of old barns and watertanks
If the jukebox is busted
And you need you an old song
This here mandolin takes a hobo back home

Recorded on: Time