Engine 143 Lyrics & Chords By Dave Alvin

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"