(I recently went to a big homecomin' celebration
In Cleveland County Arkansas where I was born
Whole family went down and there was a great day for us
I felt like this day was special especially for my mother and my daddy
Though it was daddy's and mama's homecomin'
And I was so proud of 'em ridin' that carriage
Down the Main Street of Rison Arkansas
Sometimes the songs I write sound like talkin' about myself
But actually in some of these songs
Especially this one I'm writin' about my daddy)
R idin' on the Cotton Belt Cleveland County's where I long to be
I got onto Brinkley and every mile I make is a memory
T his boxcar's cold and windy and the dust goes around in circles in the air
But my h ard times are b ehind me and I'm returnin' home so I don't c are
And I'm r idin' on the Cotton Belt railroad line
In the p itchin' rolling rhythm and the noise
R ailroad men are friends of mine and I'm r idin' on the C otton Belt b oys
R idin' on the Cotton Belt across that little river called Saline
T hat's where I went fishin' and I hunted in her bottoms as a teen
Now j ust ahead's a farmhouse and in the kitchen window there's a light
And I've j ust got fourteen d ollars but I'm taking it myself home t onight
And I'm r idin' on the Cotton Belt railroad line
In the p itchin' rolling rhythm and the noise
R ailroad men are friends of mine and I'm r idin' on the C otton Belt b oys
J umpin' off the Cotton Belt ain't easy when she's going forty per
But I s ee my wife standin' there hoping that I'm coming home to her
I got a f ew new cuts and bruises but this old working hobo's made a home
S o long to your C otton Belt thank you for the ride keep rolling o n
And I'm r idin' on the Cotton Belt railroad line
In the p itchin' rolling rhythm and the noise
R ailroad men are friends of mine and I'm r idin' on the C otton Belt b oys
