This song, about the scenic railway line that ran from Hope, at the head of the Fraser valley, along the southern border of British Columbia to Lethbridge in Alberta, was written by the late Ean Hay. It tells of riding the rails as a hobo during the depression and it has become a favourite among folk singers.

Amongst other sources, the song can be found in John Bartlett & Rika Ruebsaat’s book, Songs and Stories of Canada, a publication of the Provincial Educational Media Centre, Ministry of Education, 1980.

This version of the song is being sung by Hilda and Phil Thomas on their recording from Expo ’86 in Vancouver.

LYRICS:

1.  I always ride upon the roof,
On the Kettle Valley line,
I always ride upon the roof,
On the Kettle Valley line,
I always ride upon the roof,
I could ride inside, but what’s the use?
So I always ride upon the roof
On the Kettle Valley Line.

2.  I order my meals through the ventilator,
On the Kettle Valley Line,
I order my meals through the ventilator,
On the Kettle Valley Line,
I order my meals through the ventilator,
They taste no worse, and save tippin’ the waiter,
So I order my meals through the ventilator
On the Kettle Valley Line.

3.  I buy a sandwich from the cook,
On the Kettle Valley Line,
I buy a sandwich from the cook,
On the Kettle Valley Line,
I buy a sandwich from the cook,
And he pockets my money, the dirty crook,
When I buy a sandwich from the cook
On the Kettle Valley Line.

4. The railway bulls are gentlemen
On the Kettle Valley Line
The railway bulls are gentlemen
On the Kettle Valley Line.
The railway bulls are gentlemen,
We’ll never see their like again:
Yes the railway bulls are gentlemen
On the Kettle Valley Line.

5. They tip their hats and they call you “Sir”
On the Kettle Valley Line
They tip their hats and they call you “Sir”
On the Kettle Valley Line.
They tip their hats and call you “Sir”,
Then chuck you in the local stir,
But they tip their hats and call you “Sir”
On the Kettle Valley Line.

6. Repeat first verse.

Editor’s note: “Railway bulls” were the railway police. The “Stir” was the jail.