Engine 143 Lyrics - Ralph Stanley

Along came the F-15 the swiftest on the line 

Running over the C and O road just twenty minutes behind 

Running into Cevile head porters 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