The Hell-Bound Train
Additional Vocals By Eugene Nicks
Music By Alan Lomax, Lyrics By J.W. Pruitt
New Music And Lyrics By Grant Raymond Barrett
American Railroad Folk Song (circa 1870s)
A drunkard lay on the bar room floor. He'd drunk till he could
not drink no more. He went to sleep with a troubled brain and dreamt he
was on the Hell-Bound Train.
The
fireman, he was a lazy tramp, and the headlight, it was a brimstone
lamp. The tank was full of lager beer, and the devil, himself, was the
engineer!
The
train, it flew at an awful place. Brimstone, a burnin' both hands and
face. And worse and worse, the roadbed grew. And faster and faster the
engine flew.
"This train flying fast. Sounding whistle ablast. I've only one plea. Engineer set me free."
He
blowed the whistle and rung the bell, and the devil says, "Boys, the
next stop's hell!" And all the passengers yelled with pain and begged
the devil to stop the train.
But
the devil laughed at their misery. He hollered and roared and yelled
with glee. "You paid your fare with the rest of my load, and now you've
got to ride to the end of the road!
You
robbed the weak and done wrong to the poor. Turned hungry folks away
from the door. You laid up gold till your purses bust. You ruined young
gals with your beastly lust."
"He laughs at my fate. I do nothing but wait. This is some mistake. What change can I make?"
"You
mocked at God in your stubborn pride. You murdered and killed and
cheated and lied. You double-crossed partners and cussed and stole. You
belong to me, both body and soul!
You
paid your fare at the Shamrocks Bar, and, now, you'll ride in the
devil's car. And here's one time when I am no liar. I'll carry you all
to the land of fire.
Your
bones will burn in the flames that roar. You'll scorch and sizzle from
rind to core." Then the bar room rang with an awful scream, and the
drunkard woke from his terrible dream.
"The truth's what you speak! I've been cruel to the weak! My soul wants to live! One more chance will you give!"
Down
on his knees, on the bar room floor. He prayed as he never had prayed
before. His prayers and vows was not in vain, and he rode no more on
the Hell-Bound Train!
"I'm
safe from the flame. No, it was not a game. Satan pardoned his guest,
so this tale's put to rest. I'm safe from the flame. No, it was not a
game." And he rode no more on the Hell-Bound Train!
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Performed By Grant Raymond Barrett.
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