Cat. #0309 (MFH #48) - As sung by Mrs. Lola Stanley, Fayetteville, Arkansas on December 30, 1958
VERSE 1
T'was a very cold day in December
Th wind was driving th snow
When th mercury, if I remember
Was rapidly falling below
VERSE 2
Th storm had been fierce and dreary
With a bittery icy cold blast
When a brakeman, exhausted and weary
Returned from his labor at last
VERSE 3
Straight way to his room of retiring
He was so much need of his rest
Sure, none but th brave and th daring
Could stand such a terrible task
VERSE 4
He'd scarcely let his head touch th pillow
And suffered his eyelids to close
When away on memories bright billows
He's long thru a veil of repose
VERSE 5
He dreamed of his home and his loved ones
Of th school house under th hill
Of th grapevine swing in th wildwoods
An' brook that flows by th mill
VERSE 6
Hello there, wake up, what's th matter
Your sleeping is plain to be seen
You'd better be up with a hustle
Twelve-thirty for number nineteen
VERSE 7
He got up, went straight way down to his train
Like Issac, went down to the alter
He needed first thing to complain
VERSE 8
But when he got there thay were measuring
Measuring their journey, to go
When they rapidly pulled out of Lake Carney
To make th next station below
VERSE 9
Th cars, they were rocking and swinging
When down between them he fell
Blood curdle, so shocking
Blood curdle, to never to tell