I been doin' some hard travelin'. i thought you knowed. i been doin' some hard travelin', way down the road.
I been doin' some hard travelin', hard ramblin', hard gamblin'. i been doin' some hard travelin', lord.

I been workin' in a hard rock tunnel. i thought you knowed. i been leanin' on a pressure drill, way down the road.
Hammer flyin', air hose suckin', six feet of mud, i sure been muckin', i been doin' some hard travelin', lord.

I been workin' the pittsburg steel. i thought you knowed. i been workin' that red-hot slag, way down the road.
I been a-blastin'. i been a-firin'. i been a-duckin' that red-hot fire. i been doin' some hard travelin', lord.

Well, i've been hittin' that lincoln highway. i thought you knowed. i been hittin' that sixty-six, way down the road.
Well, a heavy load and a worried mind, i a-lookin' for a woman that is hard to find. i been doin' some hard travelin', lord.