I’ve Been Working on the Railroad: About the Song

Song History

This song was adapted late in the 19th century either from an African-American spiritual about working on a Mississippi River levee or from an old Irish hymn. "Someone’s in the Kitchen with Dinah" was a separate song that was later tagged onto the end.

Lyrics

I've been working on the railroad
All the live long day
I've been working on the railroad
Just to pass the time away
Can't you hear the whistle blowing
Rise up so early in the morn
Can't you hear the Captain shouting
"Dinah blow your horn"

Dinah won't you blow
Dinah won't you blow
Dinah won't you blow your horn
Dinah won't you blow
Dinah won't you blow
Dinah won't you blow your horn

Someone's in the kitchen with Dinah
Someone's in the kitchen I know
Someone's in the kitchen with Dinah
Strummin' on the old banjo

Fee, fie, fiddle-ee-i-o
Fee-fie fiddle-ee-i-o
Fee, fie fiddle-ee-i-o
Strummin' on the old banjo

YouTube Playlist
Spotify Playlist