I once saw a strong man, pull a train,

pulling a train, pulling a train.

High on a bridge, deep in the rain,

pulling a train, pulling a train.

With the waterfall down below, he pushed off the ties with a toe

I once saw a long, strong man, pulling a train.

I saw the same strong man, tug a boat,

tugging a boat, tugging a boat.

Had a rope in his teeth, on his back he’d float,

tugging a boat, tugging a boat.

Pulled that boat through a lock, and on until it reached dock,

I once saw a long, strong man tugging a boat.

I saw the same strong man wrestle the wind,

wrestle the wind, wrestle the wind.

Wrapped it in his arms, pinned under his shin,

wrestle the wind, wrestle the wind.

Smashed it to the earth in grains, across the Great American Plains,

I saw a long strong man wrestle with the wind.

I saw the same strong man chop a mountain,

chopping a mountain, chopping a mountain.

Chopped it flat, up came a fountain,

chopping a mountain, chopping a mountain.

The water filled in the valley, enough for every family,

I once saw a long, strong man, chopping a mountain.

I saw a strong man build a fire,

building a fire, building a fire,

Outside his cabin, filled his desire,

building a fire, building a fire, 

“I gave the world all my best, now it’s time to take a rest

And now I’m gonna sit down here and just retire.”