Did you hear that whistle blow?
Don't you know what that means?
Gotta grab my bag and head for the track
When I hear that whistle scream

We both knew someday it would end this way
My rambling fever would rise
We've had lots of fun but the fun is done
And I've gotta leave you, baby

Well, a baby's gotta cry, a bird's gotta fly
A man's gotta lie and we all gotta die
The day's gotta end and the rivers gotta bend
And I've gotta leave you, baby

Well, I've had this feeling more each day
This restless urge to roam
Kept thinking back to the miles of track
From New Orleans to Nome

Do the goal still play around old Frisco Bay?
How's the fishing up in Maine?
Where the so many things tugging at my heart streams
I've gotta leave you, baby

There's an Eskimo that I used to know
I told him I'd be back
Got a cowboy friend out in Nelaband
Who shared with me his shack

When you've lived like a tramp in a hobo camp
It kinda gets in your veins
I know you feel bad I know you'll be sad
But I've gotta leave you, baby

Well, a baby's gotta cry, a bird's gotta fly
A man's gotta lie and we all gotta die
The day's gotta end and the rivers gotta bend
And I've gotta leave you, baby
Yes, I've gotta leave you, baby