Reckless Motorman

Yonder stands the reckless motorman

Who says his age is twenty one

Standing by his mainline motor

Saying folks what have I done

Is it true I've killed my brakemen

Is it true that he is dying

Oh I tried to stop my motor

But I could not stop in time

See the cars stacked up on him

See him raise his weary head

See his sister standing by him

Crying brother are you dead

Sister sister I am dying

Soon I'll be on yonder shore

Soon I'll have a home in heaven

There'll be no braking anymore

Go and tell my youngest brother

Take these words to an end

To never start the day a braking

For his life is sure to end

Go tell my father who is weigh man

What he weighs to weigh it fair

There'll be no scales up in heaven

For that meeting in the air

Recorded 6/8/38 - Charlotte, NC