Hey, porter! Hey, porter! Would you tell me the time?
How much longer will it be 'til we cross that Mason-Dixon Line?
At daylight will you tell that engineer to slow it down
Or better still, just stop the train 'cause I want to look around

Hey, porter! Hey, porter! What time did you say?
How much longer will it be 'til I can see the light of day?
When we hit Dixie will you tell that engineer to ring his bell
And ask everybody that ain't asleep to stand right up and yell

Hey, porter! Hey, porter! It's getting light outside
This old train is puffin' smoke and I have to strain my eyes
But ask that engineer if he will blow his whistle, please
'Cause I smell frost on cotton leaves, and I feel that southern breeze

Hey, porter! Hey, porter! Please, get my bags for me
I need nobody to tell me now that we're in Tennessee
Go tell that engineer to make that lonesome whistle scream
We're not so far from home, so take it easy on the steam

Hey, porter! Hey, porter! Please open up the door
When they stop this train I'm gonna get off first 'cause I can't wait no more
Tell that engineer I say thanks a lot, and I didn't mind the fare
I'm gonna set my feet on southern soil and breathe that southern air