great railway songs - 12 'I've been working on the railroad'

An old American folk song; the first published version is from 1894 and the first recorded version is from 1927.  One of us can remember learning it at primary school in NZ in the 1960s. The video above is a Chet Atkins electric guitar instrumental tribute.

The modern lyrics of sung versions:-

I've been working on the railroad

All the live-long day.

I've been working on the railroad

Just to pass the time away.

Don't you hear the whistle blowing,

Rise up so early in the morn;

Don't you hear the captain shouting,

"Dinah, blow your horn!"

Dinah, won't you blow,

Dinah, won't you blow,

Dinah, won't you blow your horn?

Someone's in the kitchen with Dinah

Someone's in the kitchen I know

Someone's in the kitchen with Dinah

Strummin' on the old banjo!

Singin' fi, fie, fiddly-i-o

Fi, fie, fiddly-i-o-o-o-o

Fi, fie, fiddly-i-o

Strummin' on the old banjo.

Someone's makin' love to Dinah

Someone's making love I know.

Someone's making love to Dinah

'Cause I can't hear the old banjo