Porter Wagoner - Big River Train lyrics

In the land of the Ponderosa pine there runs a giant 8-wheeler Known as the Big River Train Just before she disappears into the forset she pa**es by a prison Where many-a convicts has dreamed of riding her rails to freedom I'd like to tel you a story as it was told to me It's called The Legend Of The Big River Train Keep that 8-wheel drive a rollin' let her lonesome whistle whine For it tells the world a story as it whistles through the pines In the d**h car lies a convict with a number for his name And he's going home this morning on that old Big River Train Well they brought him to this prison twenty years ago this date Changed his name into a number then he became my prison mate Somehow I knew he wasn't guilty from the very day he came Yet they brought him to this prison on that old Big River Train We became the best of buddies side by side through thick and thin Then one night he told his story how he have framed by evil men Men who bought and bribed the jury seekin' only selfish gain Yes they sent an honest man to prison condemned him to a life of shame Many many times I've heard him tell me when he'd hear that whistle blow That same old train that brought me here pal is gonna take me home I know I'll ride it back to my home country and there I'll clear my honest name Well they shipped him back this morning on that old Big River Train But he's gone to meek his Maker in a land that's bright and new Gone to claim a peace of freedom that heaven knows was overdue Of a crime he wasn't guilty just a victim of a frame Yes he came and now he's leavin' on that old Big River Train And he's going home this morning on that old Big River Train