Before the train, before the road
A dream of wheels someday to roll
Songs unsung and tales untold
Before the train, before the road

Before the steamboat paddle wheel
How did the mighty river feel? A steady flow and an even keel
Before the steamboat paddle wheel

Before, along before, it ain’t before no more
Before, along before, it ain’t before no more
It ain’t before

Before the wagons headed west
Before the gold and all the rest
The sun upon mountain’s crest
Before the wagons headed west

Before the mighty buffalo
The wind and water, the rain and snow
A silence none of us could know
Before the mighty buffalo

Before, along before, it ain’t before no more
Before, along before, it ain’t before no more
It ain’t before

Before I meet my journey’s end
I’ll try to be an honest friend

Before, along before, it ain’t before no more
Before, along before, it ain’t before no more
It ain’t before