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There are several songs about Casey Jones, the famous railway man of the Illinois Central. The songs are based on the train wreck of April 1900 at Vaughan, Mississippi. Jones was a well-known and respected driver. He was driving No. 382, possibly for a sick friend. The switching station at Vaughan did not have enough room to accommodate the length of trains there. Flagmen were sent to warn Jones, but for unknown reasons, he was unaware of the problem until it was too late. Jones was killed in the accident. He left a wife and three children.
The first Casey Jones ballad was written by Wallace Saunders, Casey's African-American engine wiper. It was sung to the tune Jimmy Jones, which was popular at the time. Engineer William Leighton heard the song. His brothers Frank and Bert, vaudeville performers, polished the song, added a chorus, and began to perform it in their act. When the ballad was published in 1902 the words were credited to T. Lawrence Seibert, and Eddie Newton was credited with the music. |
Come all you rounders that want to hear The story of a brave engineer. Casey Jones was the rounder's name, On a six eight wheeler, boys, he won his fame. The caller called Casey at half past four, He kissed his wife at the station door, He mounted to the cabin with the orders in his hand, And he took his farewell trip to that promised land. Casey Jones mounted to his cabin, Casey Jones with his orders in his hand Casey Jones mounted to his cabin, And he took his farewell trip to that promised land. When he pulled up that Reno hill, He whistled for the crossing with an awful shrill; The switchman knew by the engine's moan That the man at the throttle was Casey Jones. He looked at his water and his water was low; He looked at his watch and his watch was slow; He turned to his fireman and this is what he said, Boy, we're going to reach Frisco, but we'll all be dead. Casey Jones - going to reach Frisco Casey Jones - but we'll all be dead, Casey Jones - going to reach Frisco, We're going to reach Frisco, but we'll all be dead. So turn on your water and shovel in your coal, Stick you head out the window, watch those drivers roll; I'll drive her till she leaves the rail, For I'm eight hours late by that Western Mail. When he was within six miles of the place, There number four stared him straight in the face. He turned to his fireman, said Jim you'd better jump, For there're two locomotives that are going to bump. Casey Jones - two locomotives, Casey Jones - going to bump, Casey Jones - two locomotives, There're two locomotives that are going to bump. Casey said just before he died, There're two more roads I would like to ride. The fireman said, Which ones can they be? Oh the Northern Pacific and the Santa Fe. Mrs. Jones sat at her bed a-sighing Just to hear the news that her Casey was dying. Hush up children, and quit your cryin', For you've got another poppa on the Salt Lake Line. Casey Jones - got another poppa. Casey Jones - on the Salt Lake Line. Casey Jones - got another poppa. For you've got another poppa on the Salt Lake Line. |
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From The Fireside Book of Folk Songs See Bibliography for full information. |
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