TPPM (9): "Nearer, My God, To Thee"

[Eulenspiegel7646 at aol.com]

The Wreck Of The C & O, or Engine 143

Along came the FFV, the fastest on the line,
Running along the C & O Road, twenty minutes behind,
Running into Sewall Yard, headquarters on the line,
Receiving very strict orders to bring her in on time.

And when she blew for Hinton, her engineer was there.
Georgie Alley was his name, with bright and wavy hair.
His fireman, Jack Dickerson, was standing by his side
Receiving their strict orders, and in the cab to ride.

Georgie's mother came to him with a basket on her arm.
She said, "My darling son, be careful how you run,
For many a man has lost his life trying to make up lost time
But if you run your engine right you'll get there just on time."

George Alley said to her, "Dear mother, I'll take heed.
I know my engine is all right and I know that she will speed.
So o'er this road I mean to run with speed unknown to all,
And when I blow for Clifton Forge, they'll surely hear my call."

George Alley said to his fireman, "Jack, a little extra steam;
I intend to run old 143 the fastest ever seen;
So o'er this road I mean to fly like angels' wings unfurled,
And when I blow for the Big Bend Tunnel, they'll surely hear my call."

George Alley said to his fireman, "Jack, a rock ahead I see,
And I know that death is lurking there for to grab both you and me
So from this cab, dear Jack do fly, your darling life to save
For I want you to be an engineer while I'm sleeping in my grave."

"Oh no, dear George! That will not do, I want to die with you!"
"Oh no, dear Jack, that will not be; I'll die for you and me."
So from the cab poor Jack did leap, New River was running high,
And he kissed his hand to George as 143 flew by.

So up the tracks she darted, against the rock she crashed,
The engine turning upside down, and the coaches coming last.
George Alley's head in the firebox lay, while the burning flames rolled high.
"I'm glad I was born an engineer, on the C & O road to die."

The doctor said, "Dear Georgie, O darling boy, be still!
Your life may yet be spared, if it is God's blessed will."
"Oh no," said George, "that cannot be.  I want to die so free.
I want to die on the engine I love, one hundred and forty-three."

The doctor said, "Dear 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 they could not see,
And the very last words that ever he spoke were, "Nearer my God to Thee."
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