Engine 143 - Dave Alvin

Along came the FFV the swiftest on the line

Running o’er the C&O road just twenty minutes behind

Running into Sou’ville headquarters on the line

Receiving their strict orders from a station just behind

Georgie’s mother came to him with a bucket on her arm

Saying my darling son be careful how you run

For many a man has lost his life in trying to make lost time

And if you run your engine right you’ll get there just on time

Up the road he darted against the rocks he crashed

Upside down the engine turned and Georgie’s breast was smashed

His head lay against the firebox door the flames were rolling high

I’m glad to be born for an engineer on the C&O road to die

The doctor said to Georgie my darling boy lie still

Your life may yet be saved if it is God’s blessed will

Oh no said George that will not do I want to die so free

I want to die with the engine I love one hundred and forty three

The doctor said to Georgie your life cannot be saved

Murdered upon a railroad and laid in a lonesome grave

His face was covered up with blood his eyes they could not see

And the very last words poor Georgie said was nearer my God to thee