Early morning whistle stop Beside a depot coaling lot A trainman finds a smiling face A ruby girl in shining grace Alone... Ruby Mae
He takes her to his modest home To bathe and feed and call his own He didn’t know her history Or what she would grow up to be Who knew...? Ruby Mae Who knew...? Rollin’ on, Ruby Mae
She never knew what school entailed But loved to go and ride the rails A dining car she’d sit with “Dad” And there she learned the gift she had For song... Ruby Mae
All along the ivories Her hands would roll with perfect ease Down the line she’d play her muse Boogie, dixie, delta blues Play on... Ruby Mae Play on... Rollin’ on, Ruby Mae Rollin’ on, Ruby Mae
Up and down the railway towns The people came from miles around To hear the swingin’ gospel sound And bless the girl the trainman found She’s home... Ruby Mae She’s home... Rollin’ on, Ruby Mae Rollin’ on, Ruby Mae