Ridin' On The Cotton Belt

I recently went to a big homecomin' celebration

In Cleveland County Arkansas where I was born

Whole family went down and there was a great day for us

I felt like this day was special especially for my mother and my daddy

Though it was daddy's and mama's homecomin'

And I was so proud of 'em ridin' that carriage

Down the Main Street of Rison Arkansas

Sometimes the songs I write sound like talkin' about myself

But actually in some of these songs

Especially this one I'm writin' about my daddy

Ridin' on the Cotton Belt Cleveland County's where I long to be

I got onto Brinkley and every mile I make is a memory

This boxcar's cold and windy and the dust goes around in circles in the air

But my hard times are behind me and I'm returnin' home so I don't care

And I'm ridin' on the Cotton Belt railroad line

In the pitchin' rolling rhythm and the noise

Railroad men are friends of mine and I'm ridin' on the Cotton Belt boys

Ridin' on the Cotton Belt across that little river called Saline

That's where I went fishin' and I hunted in her bottoms as a teen

Now just ahead's a farmhouse and in the kitchen window there's a light

And I've just got fourteen dollars but I'm taking it myself home tonight

And I'm ridin' on the Cotton Belt Cleveland County's where I long to be

I got onto Brinkley and every mile I make is a memory

This boxcar's cold and windy and the dust goes around in circles in the air

But my hard times are behind me and I'm returnin' home so I don't care

And I'm ridin' on the Cotton Belt railroad line

In the pitchin' rolling rhythm and the noise

Railroad men are friends of mine and I'm ridin' on the Cotton Belt boys

Jumpin' off the Cotton Belt ain't easy when she's going forty per

But I see my wife standin' there hoping that I'm coming home to her

I got a few new cuts and bruises but this old working hobo's made a home

So long to your Cotton Belt thank you for the ride keep rolling on

I'm ridin' on the Cotton Belt Cleveland County's where I long to be

I got onto Brinkley and every mile I make is a memory

This boxcar's cold and windy and the dust goes around in circles in the air

But my hard times are behind me and I'm returnin' home so I don't care

And I'm ridin' on the Cotton Belt railroad line

In the pitchin' rolling rhythm and the noise

Railroad men are friends of mine and I'm ridin' on the Cotton Belt boys