Well Billy was born in a prairie storm
Dust turned the whole town black
Dad left home a month before
And promised he'd be back
He said I can't make a living
Out of farming dust
Ain't no other job around here
Then he turned and climbed
Aboard the train
As she fought back her tears
When the dust had settled on her dreams
Months had turned to years
Working fingers to the bone
Left no time for tears.
Still every time she heard that whistle blow
Her mind went racing back
To the train that left that prairie town
Running on a one way track
She knew he was his father's son
So it came as no surprise
When Billy said I'm headed west
To see the ocean meet the sky
He said I won't be long
Momma don't you cry
But she knew better than that
Every train that leaves a prairie town
Is running on a one way track
With his nose to the window
Of that high-balling train
Thunderin' cross the prairies
Like a hurricane
Through the mountains
Out to the Pacific shore
Life wouldn't ever be the same no more
(musical interlude)
Now late at night when the city sleeps
He swears he sometimes hears
A soft wind through the prairie grass
A sweet voice in his ear
But as Billy stumbles through the night
He knows there ain't no turnin' back
Every train that leaves a prairie town
Is running on a one way track
She awoke one morning
To a knock on her door
Six months to the day
He said " I hate to have to bear the news;
Your son has passed away
She was there at the station
When the train rolled in
Bringing Billy back
Every train that leaves a prairie town
Is running on a one way track
Every train that leaves a prairie town
Is running on a one way track
Running on a one way track
Running on a one way track
(musical ending)
Dust turned the whole town black
Dad left home a month before
And promised he'd be back
He said I can't make a living
Out of farming dust
Ain't no other job around here
Then he turned and climbed
Aboard the train
As she fought back her tears
When the dust had settled on her dreams
Months had turned to years
Working fingers to the bone
Left no time for tears.
Still every time she heard that whistle blow
Her mind went racing back
To the train that left that prairie town
Running on a one way track
She knew he was his father's son
So it came as no surprise
When Billy said I'm headed west
To see the ocean meet the sky
He said I won't be long
Momma don't you cry
But she knew better than that
Every train that leaves a prairie town
Is running on a one way track
With his nose to the window
Of that high-balling train
Thunderin' cross the prairies
Like a hurricane
Through the mountains
Out to the Pacific shore
Life wouldn't ever be the same no more
(musical interlude)
Now late at night when the city sleeps
He swears he sometimes hears
A soft wind through the prairie grass
A sweet voice in his ear
But as Billy stumbles through the night
He knows there ain't no turnin' back
Every train that leaves a prairie town
Is running on a one way track
She awoke one morning
To a knock on her door
Six months to the day
He said " I hate to have to bear the news;
Your son has passed away
She was there at the station
When the train rolled in
Bringing Billy back
Every train that leaves a prairie town
Is running on a one way track
Every train that leaves a prairie town
Is running on a one way track
Running on a one way track
Running on a one way track
(musical ending)