Cat. #0674 (MFH #711) - As sung by Tom Aley, Ozark, Missouri on February 8, 1969
VERSE 1
O, th night was dark an' stormy
On the Pennsylvania line
But th train rushed through th darkness
For the orders said, be on time
Be on time, be on time
But th train rushed through th darkness
For th orders said, be on time
VERSE 2
All at once, they saw their danger
Up ahead another train
Sad news went, to ole Ohio
Another engineer is slain
Another engineer is slain
Sad news went to old Ohio
Another engineer is slain
VERSE 3
He had a wife an' little family
Who will help them on their way
That's not our job, said th Pennsy railroad
Not a nickle will we pay
Not a nickle will we pay
That's not our job, said th Pennsy railroad
Not a nickle will we pay
VERSE 4
In t' court, come brakeman, Charley,
Best damn brakeman on th line
Says, our orders was t' highball
Pass Lake Erie right on time
Pass Lake Erie right on time
Says, our orders was t' highball
Pass Lake Erie right on time
VERSE 5
Well, they blackballed brakeman Charley
And he's roamed this country o'er
But th work he loved was ended
By that wreck on th Erie shore
By that wreck on th Erie shore
But th work he loved was ended
By that wreck on th Erie shore
(Tom said his Dad knew brakeman Charley.)