The song " 500 miles away from home " so known under the name " Railroader's Lament " is a popular traditional folk song in the United States during 1960s folk revival.
The lyrics, simple, offer a lament by a traveler out of money, who is far from home, and too shameful to dare to return to it.
Lyrics of the song are generally awarded to Hedy West, but also to William Bouclé, and John Phillips, who would be the co-authors.
According to David Neale, "500 miles" would be inspired by an older traditional folk song, having for origin the violin tunes of the South of the United States.
I'm five hundred miles away from home.
Teardrops fell on mama's note when I read the things she wrote
She said, "We miss you son, we love you come on home."
Well, I didn't have to pack, I had it all right on my back
Now I'm five hundred miles away from home.
Away from home, away from home
Cold and tired and all alone
Yes, I'm five hundred miles
Away from home.
I know this is the same road I took the day I left home
But it sure looks different now
Well, I guess I look different too cause time changes everything
I wonder what they'll say when they see their boy looking this way
Oh, I wonder what they'll say when I get home.
Can't remember when I ate it's just thumb and walk and wait
And I'm still five hundred miles away from home
If my luck had been just right I'd be with them all tonight
But I'm still five hundred miles away from home.
Away from home, away from home
Cold and tired and all alone
Yes, I'm five hundred miles
Away from home...
500 miles away from home
