I recently went to a big homecomin´ celebration
In Cleveland County Arkansas where I was born
Whole family went down and there was a great day for us
I felt like this day was special especially for my mother and my daddy

Though it was daddy´s and mama´s homecomin´
And I was so proud of ´em ridin´ that carriage
Down the Main Street of Rison Arkansas
Sometimes the songs I write sound like talkin´ about myself
But actually in some of these songs
Especially this one I´m writin´ about my daddy

Ridin´ on the Cotton Belt Cleveland County´s where I long to be
I got onto Brinkley and every mile I make is a memory
This boxcar´s cold and windy and the dust goes around in circles in the air
But my hard times are behind me and I´m returnin´ home so I don´t care
And I´m ridin´ on the Cotton Belt railroad line
In the pitchin´ rolling rhythm and the noise

Railroad men are friends of mine and I´m ridin´ on the Cotton Belt boys

Ridin´ on the Cotton Belt across that little river called Saline
That´s where I went fishin´ and I hunted in her bottoms as a teen
Now just ahead´s a farmhouse and in the kitchen window there´s a light
And I´ve just got fourteen dollars but I´m taking it myself home tonight

And I´m ridin´ on the Cotton Belt Cleveland County´s where I long to be
I got onto Brinkley and every mile I make is a memory
This boxcar´s cold and windy and the dust goes around in circles in the air

But my hard times are behind me and I´m returnin´ home so I don´t care
And I´m ridin´ on the Cotton Belt railroad line
In the pitchin´ rolling rhythm and the noise
Railroad men are friends of mine and I´m ridin´ on the Cotton Belt boys

Jumpin´ off the Cotton Belt ain´t easy when she´s going forty per
But I see my wife standin´ there hoping that I´m coming home to her
I got a few new cuts and bruises but this old working hobo´s made a home
So long to your Cotton Belt thank you for the ride keep rolling on

I´m ridin´ on the Cotton Belt Cleveland County´s where I long to be

I got onto Brinkley and every mile I make is a memory
This boxcar´s cold and windy and the dust goes around in circles in the air
But my hard times are behind me and I´m returnin´ home so I don´t care
And I´m ridin´ on the Cotton Belt railroad line
In the pitchin´ rolling rhythm and the noise
Railroad men are friends of mine and I´m ridin´ on the Cotton Belt boys