Wreck on the L&N Railroad (Recorded Nov 1960 by Phipps Family)

(This song is a version of "Wreck on the C&O Railroad" [aka "The F.F.V." or "Engine 143"] a wreck that occurred on the C&O railroad near Hinton, Ohio, on 23 Oct 1890)


Along came a passenger train, the fastest on the line
Running over the L&N road about 30 minutes behind
Running into to Louisville, headquarters on the line
Receiving her strict orders from a station just behind

The fireman came to the engineer with a bucket on his arm
Saying, "We're running late, be careful how you run.
For many a man has lost his life in trying to make lost time
But if you run your engine right we'll get there just on time."

Around the curve she darted, against the rock she crashed
Upside down the engine turned, poor Davy's head was smashed
His head was in the firebox door, the flames were rolling high
And this is what I heard him say, "My time has come to die."

The doctor said to David, "My darling boy be still.
Your life may yet be saved if it is God's blessed will."
"Oh no" said Dave, "that will not do, I'm dying don't you see.
Just tell my dear old mother to never weep for me."

The doctor said to David, "Your life cannot be saved.
Dying on 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 I heard him say was "Nearer my God to Thee."