Riding on the city of new orleans Illinios central, monday morning rail 15 cars and 15 restless riders 3 conductors and 25 sacks of mail They're all along a southbound odyssey The train pulls out of kankakee Rollin' long past houses, farms and fields Passing trains that have no name Freight yards full of old black men The graveyards of the rusted automobiles Singing good morning America, how are you? Saying, don't you know me I'm your native son? I'm the train they call the city of new orleans I'll be gone 500 miles when the day is done How is dealing cards with the old men in the club car Penny a point, ain't no one keeping score Pass the paper bag that holds the bottle Feel the wheels a rumbling 'neath the floor And the sons of pullman porters And the sons of engineers Ride their fathers' magic carpet made of steel And the days are full of restless the dreams are full of memories And the echoes of the freight train whistles clear Singing good morning America, how are you? Saying don't you know me, I'm your native son? I'm the train they call the city of new orleans I'll be gone 500 miles when the day is done But it's twilight on the city of New Orleans Talk about a pocket full of friends Halfway home and we'll be there by morning With no tomorrow waiting 'round the bend Singing good morning America, I love you? Saying don't you know me, I'm your native son? I'm the train they call the city of new orleans I'll be gone long long time when the day is done Singing good morning America, how are you? Saying don't you know me, I'm your native son? I'm the train they call the city of new orleans I'll be gone 500 miles when the day is done