Ain’t gonna work on the railroad,
Ain’t gonna work on the farm.
Gonna lay around the shack ‘til the mail train gets back,
I’m gonna roll in my sweet baby’s arms.
Roll in my sweet baby’s arms,
Roll in my sweet baby’s arms.
Gonna lay around the shack ‘til the mail train gets back,
I’m gonna roll in my sweet baby’s arms.
Where is my pocket book and money
And the gold watch and chain that I wore?
The police have taken them from me,
And I don’t expect to see them anymore.
Roll in my sweet baby’s arms,
Roll in my sweet baby’s arms.
Gonna lay around the shack ‘til the mail train gets back,
I’m gonna roll in my sweet baby’s arms.
Where were you last Friday night,
When I was locked up in jail?
Walking the streets with another man,
Wouldn’t even go my bail.
Roll in my sweet baby’s arms,
Roll in my sweet baby’s arms.
Gonna lay around the shack ‘til the mail train gets back,
I’m gonna roll in my sweet baby’s arms.
Sometimes I live in the country,
Sometimes I live in the town,
Sometimes I have a great notion
To jump in the river and drown.
Roll in my sweet baby’s arms,
Roll in my sweet baby’s arms.
Gonna lay around the shack ‘til the mail train gets back,
I’m gonna roll in my sweet baby’s arms.
Can’t see what’s the matter with my own true love -
She done quit writing to me.
She must think I don’t love her like I used to -
Ain’t that a foolish idea?
Roll in my sweet baby’s arms,
Roll in my sweet baby’s arms.
Gonna lay around the shack ‘til the mail train gets back,
I’m gonna roll in my sweet baby’s arms.
Mama’s a beauty operator,
Sister can weave and can spin.
Daddy’s got an interest in that old cotton mill -
Yes, watch that old money roll in.
Roll in my sweet baby’s arms,
Roll in my sweet baby’s arms.
Gonna lay around the shack ‘til the mail train gets back,
I’m gonna roll in my sweet baby’s arms.
Loudon Wainwright III guitar, lead vocal
Chaim Tannenbaum banjo, lead vocal
David Mansfield dobro, back vocal
Tim Luntzel bass
This one was never recorded by Poole, but it sure has got the right “weltanschauung,” or something.
Public Domain and, as adapted and arranged, published by Snowden Music (ASCAP) and Two Fourteen Music (Administered by Spirit One Music) (BMI)
& © 2nd Story Sound Records