Billy Richardson's Last Ride

Key of G · Chords: I IV V

Verse 1

From the West Virginia mountains came the earling morning mail
Old No. 3 was west bound, the fastest on the rail
She pulled right into Hampton, a junction on the line
With a Baldwin mountain engine, they made the run on time.

Verse 2

Billy Richardson at Hampton was called to make the run
To pull the fastest mail train from there to Huntingdon
His fireman, he reported for duty on the line
And leading their train orders, left Hampton on time.

Verse 3

Billy told his fireman that he would happy be
If he could die while pulling a train like No. 3
"I want to die on duty, right in my cab" said he,
"While pulling east bound No. 4 or west bound No. 3".

Verse 4

The fireman said then, "Billy, although you're old and gray
Your name is on the pension list, you should retire someday."
But Billy said "Dear fireman the truth I'm telling you
I must die right in my engine cab and nothing else will do!"

Verse 5

Then pulling down New River, came west bound No. 3
By Thermon then by Cotton Hill no danger could he see
His head then struck a mail crane while pulling down the line
He'll never pull this train again to Huntingdon on time.

Verse 6

He pulled the fastest time freight, he pulled the U.S. mail
He pulled the fast excursion to the beauties of the rail.
He lost his life on duty, in his engine cab so free
While pulling in Montgomery on west bound No. 3

Verse 7

G                                C            G
Now ladies, if your husband is a railroad engineer,
                                            D
You know he is in danger, and death is ever near
    G                              C             G
You know he loves you dearly, when he is by your side,
                                    D               G
Remember well that his next run may be his farewell ride.

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