The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #20196   Message #212621
Posted By: wildlone
16-Apr-00 - 09:53 AM
Thread Name: Train Songs
Subject: Lyr Add: THE OLD S & D and SWANAGE STEAM (Sartin)
Here is a couple of songs about the old Somerset and Dorset line or as it was known by those that used it the Slow and Dirty
I could scan the music and send as a gif send me a personal message with your email address if you want a copy.

The Old S&D
Copyright: B Sartin

We had a railway line some years ago
It might have been dirty, it might have been slow
Now that its gone it affects you and me
And everyone misses the old S & D
Everyone misses the old S & D.

Through the loveliest landscapes of England it rolled
Past woodland and meadow and cornfields of gold
From Bath running seventy miles to the sea
A beautiful ride was the old S & D
A beautiful ride was the old S & D.

There's museums and theme parks around us today
Tempting the tourists and trippers to stay
A pity the planners were too blind to see
The biggest attraction, the old S & D
The biggest attraction, the old S & D.

Through Somerset and Dorset it hauled all the freight
No matter the size. no matter the weight
Helping the farmers and our industry
Everyday jobs for the old S & D
Everyday jobs for the old S & D.

Next time you're stuck on the Evercreech road
Behind an artic with a 40-ton load
Think how much pleasanter living would be
If they'd only developed the old S & D
If they'd only developed the old S & D.

They knocked down the bridges and took out the track
And everyone knows that there's no going back
There's little remaining for posterity
But we'll always remember the old S & D
We'll always remember the old S & D.

Where locos once ran there are houses instead
The sleepers now lie in a much softer bed
Do they rest contented or doze fitfully
Disturbed by the ghosts of the old S&D?
Disturbed by the ghosts of the old S&D.

Swanage Steam.
Copyright: B Sartin.

They said, "It'll have to go,
Far too dirty, far too slow,
Too much soot and too much grime,
Not enough arrive on time."

(Chorus)
But trains are rolling, trains are rolling
On the old Swanage branch, trains are rolling.

So they gave the men the sack,
And they ripped up all the track,
Sold it all for scrap,
Wiped the line right off the map.

But when they'd done their worst,
And BR's name was cursed,
There came men with a dream
Who loved the power of steam.

So they called for volunteers,
Firemen, drivers, engineers,
And those who had no skill
But muscle and good will.

Helpers came to build and lay,
What had been just thrown away,
To struggle and to strive
And keep the line alive.

Now the track will grow and grow,
To Corfe Castle we will go,
Because men had a dream
And loved the power of steam.