That's a great line. James Taylor is a genius. Which song is that? I'm a huge fan but don't know that one. Here's a verse by him that I love. I believe the song title is MY TRAVELIN'STAR

My daddy used to ride the rails (so they say, so they say)
He was soft as smoke and as tough as nails (box car Jones, old walkin' man)
Comin' back home was like goin' to jail
Sheets and the blankets, babies and all
So he never did come back home, never that I recall

Beautiful writing!! I particularly love the second line