Dave Alvin - Engine 143 lyrics

Along came the F-15 the swiftest on the line Running over the C and O road just twenty minutes behind Running into Sou'ville headquarters on the line Receiving their 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 Many a man has lost his life by 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 crushed 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 was born to be an engineer on the C and O road to die The doctor said to Georgie, "My darling son be still Your life may yet be saved if it is God's blessed will" "Oh no", said George, "That will not do I 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 cannot be saved" Murdered upon a railroad and laid in a lonesome grave His face was covered up with blood his eyes you could not see The very last words poor Georgie said was, "Nearer my God to thee"