Wreck Of The Old #9 Lyrics - Walkabouts

T'was a cold wintry night 

Not a star was in sight 

And he north wind was howling down the line 

Went a brave engineer 

With a sweetheart so dear 

With an order to pull Old # 9. 

His heart hung with his song 

And his train rolled along 

Black smoke was pouring from his stack 

His headlight it seemed 

To brighten his dream 

Of tomorrow, when he'd be coming back 

Well he sped round the hill 

And his brave heart stood still 

A headlight flashing in his face 

He threw only air 

And he murmured a prayer 

'Cause he knew this would be his final race 

(The crash...) 

In the wreck he was found 

Lying dying on the ground 

And he asked them to raise his weary head 

As his breath slowly went 

This message he sent 

To the maiden who thought she would be wed 

"I leave a white home 

That I bought for your own 

And I dreamed we'd be happy by-and-by. 

I'm gonna leave it all to you 

'Cause I know that you'll be true 

'Til we meet at the pearly gates -- good-bye."