The Northern's Road

[instrumental intro] [verse] We rush over the ground Wind in our hair The world passes by No time left to care or despair I check all my gauges The pressure's just alright This train it won't slow down We'll keep on going .. into the night [break] [verse] I look to the fireman He's shoveling coal This "Northern" is flying But I still remain in control Ahead in the distance The mountains draw near This job isn't easy But there's no room for fear [pre-chorus] This shift is 18 hours My spirit is nearly broken Chicago to Los Angeles Somehow keepin' my eyes open 18 hours driving Then I just get 6 to sleep The pressure's slowly growing But there's a schedule I've got to keep [chorus] Cutting through the country Like a knife through a torn-up glove I see those stars above me And I think about my love I know that she waits for me These same stars in her sky Back in the Windy City My heart is there .. I can't deny [break] [verse] I sound the mighty whistle To clear the route ahead It releases some of the pressure But we still hang by a thread The tracks stretch on to meet the sky At least that's how it seems The West Coast seems to call out To me and this machine [bridge] We fly through every station The faces are a blur 40 cars of logs and oil We will not be deterred Every mile we travel Brings us closer to the end The fireman keeps on shoveling Too late for me .. to pretend [guitar solo] [chorus] Cutting through the country Like a knife through a torn-up glove I see those stars above me And I think about my love I know that she waits for me These same stars in her sky Back in the Windy City My heart is there .. I can't deny [break] [outro] The wheels, they keep on turning This engine must obey The deadline doesn't falter Pressure I can't allay Back home in Chicago My love she calls to me But here I ride away from her These rails won't let me be [instrumental ending]