"Engine 143" lyrics - RAMBLIN' JACK ELLIOTT

Along came the FFV, the swiftest on the line
Running o'er the C&O road just twenty minutes behind
Running into Seville head quarters on the line
Receiving very 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
But 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 did smash
His head was against the firebox door, the flames were rolling high
I'm glad I's born for an engineer to die on an old sea road

The doctor said to Georgie, my darling boy be still
Your life may yet be saved if it is God's blessed will
Oh no, cried George that will not do, I'd want to die so free
I want to die for the engine I love, one hundred and forty three

The doctor said to Georgie your life may not be saved
Murdered upon a railroad and laid in a lonesome grave
His face was covered up in blood and his eyes they could not see
And the very last words poor Georgie said was nearer my God to thee