All day, everyday I swing my hammer to the metal on the northern railway Always a movie playing in my head A million movies starring you and me Moonshine every night Eating supper by the fire out in the clear moonlight Ankles crossed, hands behind my head Telling stories, singing songs about the west I'm always thinking of you Staring off down the railroad line One sweet day i will see you But i'll swing the hammer until The empire builder brings me home For two months and two odd weeks Sometimes days go by in which nobody speaks From illinois to washington There ain't nothing but the hammer to the rail One day when this track runs through I'm gonna buy a new suit and come looking for you Care free, you and me We'll take the empire builder to the sea And i'm always thinking of you Staring off down the railroad line One sweet day i will see you But i'll swing the hammer until The empire builder brings me home