Hey, pretty mama do you think that's right,
You got the kids all day, you work the men at night
And I'm goin' to Kansas City where the times are good
I'm going back baby where the juke's all wood
I'm going back mama yes where they don't 'low you
I've got the freight train blues, boxcars on my mind
And the woman that I'm lovin' she don't pay me no mind
But I'm goin' to Kansas City where times are good
Going back baby where the juke's all wood
Going back baby yes where they don't 'low you
And this ding dong bell don't worry me
'Cause slavery's over God knows I'm free
I'm goin' to Kansas City where times are good
Going back baby where the juke's all wood
I'm going back mama where they don't 'low you
SOLO
And I said Mr. Brakeman may I ride your blind
And he hollered back: "Buddy, you know this train ain't mine!"
But I'm goin' to Kansas City where the times are good
I'm going back mama where the juke's all wood
I'm going back baby where they don't 'low you
My girl she caught a train she left me a mule to ride
When the train pulled out the poor mule laid down and died
But I'm goin' to Kansas City where the times are good
I'm going back baby where the juke's all wood
I'm going back mama where they don't 'low you
Yes I walked and talked to my mama all night long
I tried my best to teach her right from wrong
And I'm goin' to Kansas City where times are good
Going back mama where the juke's all wood
Going back baby where they don't 'low you