Orphan Train

Once I had a darling mother though I can't recall her name
I had a baby brother who I'll never see again
For the Children's Home is sending us out on the Orphan Train
To try to find someone to take us in

Cho: Take us in, we have rode the Orphan Train
Take us in, we need a home, we need a name
Take us in, oh won't you be our kin?
We are looking for someone to take us in

I have stolen from the poorbox, I have begged the city streets
I've swabbed the bars and poolrooms for a little bite to eat
In my daddy's old green jacket and these rags upon my feet
I've looking for someone to take me in

The Children's Home, they gathered us, me and all the rest
They us to sit quietly until the food was blessed
Then they put us on the Orphan Train and sent us way out West
To try to find someone to take us in

The farmers and the families, they came from miles around
We lined up on the platform of the station in each town
And one by one we parted, like some living lost-and-found
And one by one, we all were taken in

Now there's many a fine doctor or a teacher in your school
There's many a good preacher who can teach the golden rule
Who started out an orphan sleeping in the freezing rain
Whose life began out on the Orphan Train.