This here mandolin is carved out of pine It was willed to me by an old hobo, way down the line He donated this mandolin with these last words "Before I cross over, Boy, I'll show you some chords" This here mandolin's made out of earth and old stone If the sound of the railroad makes you feel all alone This here mandolin will take a hobo back home. This here mandolin is sure full of sand It'll play out-of-tune if there's a cop on the train She'll sing you the song of the Super Chief out of St.Paul And that ain't all This here mandolin makes a young girl open her window Like a warm bed on a rainy night Like a hex-sign on a barn This here mandolin will keep a hobo from harm This here mandolin is carved out of pine It was willed to me by an old hobo, way down the line He donated this mandolin with these last words "Before I cross over, Boy, I'll show you some chords" This here mandolin is made out of barns and old water tanks If the jukebox is busted and you need an old song This here mandolin will take a hobo back home