Jackie Washington rode the rails
Way back in World War II
Playing his guitar in the sleeper car
To lullaby the lucky fewHe worked the Canadian Pacific line
To satisfy his wandering bones
There werent a lot of men that he couldnt call friend
Or places that he couldnt call home, good Lord
Places that he couldnt call homeSaying, "Mr. Conductor put the hammer down
Im not gonna rest til I reach Hammer Town
I got a girl on the East Side and theres a band on the West Side
Playing blues and sentimental"He never crossed over that American border
Though he lived just a few miles away
He said, "Everything I need I can find right here
North of the USA"Guitar and piano and a thousand tunes
And his brothers just playing all night
Singing every song from the hit parade
And swinging by the steel mill light, good Lord
Swinging by the steel mill lightSaying, "Mr. Conductor put the hammer down
Im not gonna rest til I reach Hammer Town
I got a girl on the East Side and theres a band on the West Side
Playing blues and sentimental"Jackie Washington takes the stage
The same way that hes always been
Lighting up the aisles with a heavenly smile
And bringing everybody inJackie made '80 back in 99
Still he plays every show that he can
And theres a midnight train rolling somewhere tonight
And Jackies strumming like a steel-driving man, good Lord
Strumming like a steel-driving manSaying, "Mr. Conductor put the hammer down
Im not gonna rest til I reach Hammer Town
I got a girl on the East Side and theres a band on the West Side
Playing blues and sentimental"Hey, Jackie Washington
Long may your sweet song carry on
Everybody on the East Side and everybody on the West side
Everybody on the East Side and everybody on the West side
Loves the blues and sentimental