Brakeman's Blues by Jimmie Rodgers His railroad card shows fourteen years of service. During those years he played various roles on many roads; call-boy, flagman, baggagemaster, brakeman . . . But - 'I crave to cover the distance' - so, as freight brakeman, young Jimmie Rodgers thought he was doing fine. He was going places, seeing things, doing things. Carefree, happy always, when answering a call he reached first for banjo, mandolin or ukelele." — Mrs. Carrie Rodgers Brakeman's Blues Portland, Maine, is just the same as sunny Tennessee Portland, Maine, is just the same as sunny Tennessee Any old place I hang my hat is home sweet home to me. I went to the depot and looked up on the board I went to the depot and looked up on the board It says it's good times here, but it's better down the road. I'll eat my breakfast here and my dinner in New Orleans I'll eat my breakfast here and my dinner in New Orleans I'm gonna get me a mama I ain't never seen. Where was you, Mama, when the train left the shed? Where was you, Mama, when the train left the shed? Standing in front of my door, wishing I was dead.