Discover the story of the song > Railroad Worksong – The Notting Hillbillies

The protagonist is working on a railroad and only getting paid one dollar per day. He sings about taking a hammer to the captain and telling him that he's leaving. If the captain asks if he was running, he'll say he was flying. If the captain asks if he was laughing, he'll say he was crying. The protagonist describes his hammer as shining like silver and gold. The song ends with the protagonist repeating that he needs to get his money and get his pay.