THE TRUE AND TREMBLING BRAKEMAN (aka THE DYING MINE BRAKEMAN)

Orville J. Jenks



Listen now while I tell you
Of a story you do not know;
Of a true and trembling brakeman,
And to heaven he did go.
Do you see that train-a-coming,
Oh, it's (?through) old Ninety-nine;
Oh, she's puffing and a-blowing,
For you know she is behind.
See that true and trembling brakeman,
As he signals to the cab;
There is but one chance for him,
And that is to grab.
See that true and trembling brakeman,
As the cars go rushing by;
If he miss that yellow freight car,
He is almost sure to die.
See that true and trembling brakeman,
As he falls beneath the train.
He had not one moment's warning,
Before he fell beneath the train.

See the brave young engineerman,
At the age of twenty-one;
Stepping down from upon his engine,
Crying, "Now what have I done!"
"Is it true I killed a brakeman,
Is it true that he is dying?
Lord, you know I tried to save him,
But I could not stop in time."
See the car wheels rolling o'er him,
O'er his mangled body 'n' head;
See his sister bending o'er him,
Crying, "Brother, are you dead?"
Sighing, "Sister, yes, I'm dying,
Going to a better shore;
Oh, my body's on a pathway,
I can never see no more.
"Sister, when you see my brother,
These few words to him I send;
Tell him never to venture braking,
If he does, his life will end."
These few words were sadly spoken,
Folding his arms across his breast;
And his heart now ceased beating,
And his eyes were closed in death. 


*****


ANOTHER VERSION:



See that true and trembling brakeman
As he falls between those cars,
Not one moment's warning had he
From those breake cars he was hurt.

See those car wheels passing o'er him
O'er his mangled body and head,
See his sister bending o'er him
Crying, "Brother, are you dead?"

"Dying, sister, yes I'm dying
Going to join that better shore
Oh my father and my mother
I shall never see no more."

See that brave young engineerman
At the age of twenty one,
Stepping from his engine, crying,
"Now what have I done!

Have I killed that faithful brakeman?
Can it be that he is dyin'?
Oh, I did my best to save him
But I could not stop in time."

"Dying, buddy, yes I'm dying
Going to join that better shore
Oh my buddies on the C.C.
I shall never see no more.

Sister, when you see my brother
These few words I'll send to him,
Never, never venture braking
If he does his life will end."

THese few words that he has spoken
Clasp his hands across his breast
For the spirit all had left him
And his soul had gone to rest.


*****