I am a man, a family man of decent means
I've got a wife, two kids, a suburban home, hopes and dreams
Thought I'd build a little nest egg, send my kids off to school
Hit that silver anniversary and take a Mediterranean cruise
But we had one, two many fights and some things can't be unsaid
She took the kids to her mom's, found another man and left me for dead

So I'll ride, ride, ride
I'll ride the rails
Until that train gets to where I don't know I'm going
And I can start living for myself

I am a man, a career man, wedded to my job
On a sturdy rung of the corporate ladder and I'm headed to the top
I always check my e-mail and I make eighty calls a day
I kiss my boss's ass for the chance to pass him, I really earn my pay
But they found this guy in India who'll work for half as much
Threw me out on the street with just the shoes on my feet and said, "We'll keep in touch!"

So I'll ride, ride, ride
I'll ride the rails
Until that train gets to where I don't know I'm going
And I can start living for myself

I'm a woman, I'm smart as hell, a recent graduate
I got A's in my classes studying journalism, I really know my shit
I'm doing this for the people, tell their stories to the world
Where there's trouble and strife that'll be my life, I'm an action kind of girl
But every time I interview there's a sleazy, slick-haired slob
He says "You look qualified with your hips and your tits, but how are you at sucking cock?"

So I'll ride, ride, ride
I'll ride the rails
Until that train gets to where I don't know I'm going
And I can start living for myself

I am a man, I'm a homeless man, clothed in tattered rags
I get my sleep on a bench, my dental work from a wrench, and my food from garbage bags
It hasn't always been like this, I payed rent with my paychecks
But you're a step away when you haven't saved, get hurt in an accident
I hobbled around the city parks 'til they picked me up for vagrancy
Threw my ass in a cell and they beat me to hell and they slapped me with a fee!

So I'll ride, ride, ride
I'll ride the rails
Until that train gets to where I don't know I'm going
And I can start living for myself

I am a man, I'm an American man, I'm just your average Joe
I'm Willy Loman, I'm Billy Pilgrim, I'm everyone you know
EXXON-MOBIL's got record profits but I can't afford a gallon of gas
I'm getting laid off while the boss is paid off, say goodbye to the middle class

So I'll ride, ride, ride
I'll ride the rails
Until that train gets to where I don't know I'm going
And I can start living for myself