Engine 143

1. Along came the FFV the swiftest on the line 
Running o'er the C&O road just twenty minutes behind 
Running into Sou'ville headquarters on the line 
Receiving there strict orders from a station just behind 

2. Georgie's mother came to him with a bucket on her arm 
Saying my darling son be careful how you run 
For many a man has lost his life in trying to make lost time 
And if you run your engine right you'll get there just on time 

3. Up the road he darted against the rocks he crashed 
Upside down the engine turned and Georgie's breast was smashed
His head lay against the firebox door the flames were rolling high 
I'm glad to be born for an engineer on the C&O road to die 

4. The doctor said to Georgie my darling boy lie 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 with the engine I love one hundred and forty three 

5. 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 they could not see 
And the very last words poor Georgie said 
	was nearer my God to thee

From Wikipedia: "Engine One-Forty-Three" is a ballad in the tradition of early American train wreck songs, based on the true story of the wreck of the FFV near Hinton, West Virginia on October 23rd, 1890.  The train was on its way to Clifton Forge, Virginia, when it hit a rock slide. The author of the song is unknown, but the best known version of the song was written down by A. P. Carter and recorded by the Carter Family.