IN THE BAGGAGE COACH AHEAD
(Gussie L. Davis / Stephen Dankner)
Recorded by: Stephen Dankner; Steve Porter.
On a dark stormy night
as the train rattled on,
all the passengers
had gone to bed.
Except one young man
with a babe in his arms,
who sat there with a
bowed down head.
The innocent one
began crying just then,
as though its poor heart
would break.
One angry man said
"Make that child stop its noise,
for it's keeping all of us awake".
"Put it out" said another,
"don't keep it in here -
we've paid for our berths
and want rest"
But never a word
said the man with the child
as he fondled it
close to his breast.
"Where is it's mother,
go take it to her"
this a lady then softly said.
"I wish that I could"
was the man's sad reply,
"but she's dead
in the coach ahead."
(refrain)
While the train rolled onward,
a husband sat in tears,
thinking of the happiness
of just a few short years.
For baby's face
brings pictures of
a cherished hope
that's dead.
But baby's cries
can't waken her,
in the baggage
coach ahead.
(end of refrain).
Every eye filled with tears
when his story he told,
of a wife who was faithful and true.
He told how he'd saved
all his earnings for years,
just to build up a home for two.
How when heaven
had sent them
this sweet little babe,
their young happy lives were blessed.
His heart seemed to break
when he mentioned her name,
and in tears
tried to tell them the rest.
Every woman arose
to assist with the child.
There were mothers
and wives on that train.
And soon was the little one
sleeping in peace,
with no thought of
sorrow or pain.
Next morn' at a station
he bade all "Goodbye" ,
"God Bless You"
he softly said.
Each one had a story
to tell in their home,
of the baggage coach ahead.
(refrain)
While the train rolled onward,
a husband sat in tears,
thinking of the happiness
of just a few short years,
for baby's face brings pictures of
a cherished hope that's dead.
But, baby's cries
can't waken her,
in the baggage coach ahead.
(Contributed by allmanserv - January 2006)
