500 miles

Lyricist(s): Hedy West Composer(s): Hedy West singer(s): The Journeymen

"500 Miles" (also known as "500 Miles Away from Home" or "Railroaders' Lament") is a song made popular in the United States and Europe during the 1960s folk revival. The simple repetitive lyrics offer a lament by a traveler who is far from home, out of money, and too ashamed to return. In a May 1963 interview on Folk Music Worldwide, Paul Stookey of Peter, Paul and Mary characterized the song, which appeared on the group's 1962 debut album, as "a reflection of loneliness."

Sheet music

• 500 miles Simplified guitar 2024-12-25 22:11:22

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
If you miss the train I'm on
You will know that I am gone
You can hear the whistle blow a hundred miles
A hundred miles, a hundred miles
A hundred miles, a hundred miles
You can hear the whistle blow a hundred miles

[Verse 2]
Lord, I'm one, Lord, I'm two
Lord, I'm three, Lord, I'm four
Lord, I'm five hundred miles away from home
Away from home, away from home
Away from home, away from home
Lord, I'm five hundred miles away from home

[Verse 3]
Not a shirt on my back
Not a penny to my name
Lord, I can't go back home this a-way
This a-away, this a-way
This a-way, this a-way
Lord, I can't go back home this a-way

[Banjo Solo]
See upcoming pop shows
Get tickets for your favorite artists
You might also like
I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)
The Proclaimers
KEHLANI
Jordan Adetunji
A Bar Song (Tipsy)
Shaboozey
[Verse 1]
If you miss the train I'm on
You will know that I am gone
You can hear the whistle blow a hundred miles
A hundred miles, a hundred miles
A hundred miles, a hundred miles
You can hear the whistle blow a hundred miles

[Outro]
You can hear the whistle blow a hundred miles

update：2025-09-18 19:05:35