Standing on the sidetrack at the south end of townOn a dry, hot, dusty August day the steam pipe pouring downThe fireman with his long oil can oiling the old valve gearsWaiting for the fast mail train to semaphore to clearThe engineer in the old high cab, his gold watch in his handLooking at the water glass and letting down the sandRolling out on the old main line taking up the slackGone today so they say but tomorrow he'll be backOh, if I could return to those boyhood days of mineAnd the greenlight on the southern, southern railroad lineCreeping down the rusty rails of the weed grown branch lineThe section houses gray and white by the yard limit signThe hoggers call the old high ball, no more time to waitRolling down to Birmingham with a ten car load for freightOh, if I could return to those boyhood days of mineAnd the greenlight on the southern, southern railroad lineThe whistle scream with a hiss of steam, the headlight gleams clearThe drivers roll on the green and go getting mighty nearHanding up the orders to the engine crew on timeIt's the Alabama great southern AGS railroad lineOh, if I could return to those boyhood days of mineAnd that greenlight on the southern, southern railroad lineOh, if I could return to those boyhood days of mineAnd that greenlight on the southern, southern railroad line
