The East Bound Train

Cat. #1153 (MFH #804) - As sung by Ollie Gilbert, Mountain View, Arkansas on July 15, 1970

VERSE 1
Th eastbound train was crowded
On a cold December day
Th conductor shouted, tickets
In an ole time fashioned way

VERSE 2
A little girl in saddness
Her hair as bright as gold
She says, I have no tickets
An' then her story told

VERSE 3
My Father, he's in prison
He's lost his sight, they say
I'm here for a pardon
On this cold December day

VERSE 4
My Mother's daily sewing
To try to earn some bread
Help her ole blind Father
In prison almost dead

VERSE 5
My Brothers an' my Sister
Would be very glad
If I could bring back
My poor ole blind Dad

VERSE 6
The conductor didn't say a thing
He didn't reply
Heart was almost broken
Th tears stood in his eyes

VERSE 7
He said, God bless you little one
Stay right where you 'ar
You'll never need a ticket
While I am on this car

VERSE 8
She told 'im of her mission
An' why she run away
T' go an' find the Governor
For a pardon today

VERSE 9
Th Governor hear her story
An' wondered at her plea
An' then she cried, please Mister
Set my Daddy free

VERSE 10
He's gettin' old an' feeble
He hair is gettin' gray
I know poor ole blind Father
Cannot see his way

Variants