I'm just an old black choo-choo
On a rusty railroad track
They put me in the choo-choo graveyard
And they're never gonna bring me back

They're pulling my cars with a diesel
And the diesel sure looks proud
But he never makes the sound of a choo-choo
When he blows his whistle loud

[Chorus]
Let the many-many little children
Can have a thrill to my choo-choo sound
If you don't, pull me back upon the railroad
Let me keep on chuggin' around
(so-la-fa-fa-fasso, so-so-passo, etc.)

My coupe was black and shiny
On the day of my trial run
I never forget how they eyed me
As I glistened in the sun

I'll be the diesel's helper
If they'll only set me free
I'll blow my whistle at the crossing
Make the diesel proud of me

[Chorus]

Well, the black smoke frose in the distance
As the diesel rolled on by
But the coalburner kept on a-chuggin'
As he went on down the line

There's a new day coming tomorrow
When you won't hear the whistle scream
You'll just hear the roar of the diesel
Like the foghorn out at sea

[Chorus]