The Baggage Coach Ahead

Cat. #0187 (MFH #34) - As sung by Mrs. Allie Long Parker, Eureka Springs, Arkansas on July 10, 1958

VERSE 1
One dark stormy night, as th train rolled along
An' th passengers had all gone to bed
Except a young man with a babe in his arms
Who set there with bowed down head

VERSE 2
Just at that moment it begin for to cry
As tho its poor heart would break
Make th child hush its noise, an angry man said
It's keeping us all awake

VERSE 3
Take it out, said another, don't keep it in here
We paid for our berths n' want rest
But never a word, did th young man reply
As he fondled it close to his breast

VERSE 4
O, where is its Mother, go take it to her
A lady then softly said,
I wish that I could, was th young mans reply,
But she's dead in th coach ahead

VERSE 5
Every eye filled with tears when his story he told
Of a wife who was faithful and true
Of how he had saved up his earnings, for years
Just to build up a home, for two

VERSE 6
How heaven had sent them th sweet little babe
Their young happy lives for to bless
And in tears tried to tell them th rest

VERSE 7
Each woman arose to assist with th child
Of mothers and wives on th train
And soon was th little one resting in peace
With no thought of sorrow or pain

VERSE 8
Next morning at th station, he bid them goodbye
God bless you, he softly said
Each woman had a story to tell in her home
Of th baggage coach ahead

Variants