Lyr Req: Bad Luck Child's Request

Subject: Lyr Req: Bad Luck Child's Request
From: hsempl
Date: 06 Nov 14 - 02:02 PM

Looking for lyrics for Bad Luck Child's Request (on CD #C of the Leroy Carr 4-CD set). The song ends something like "When I die, When I pass away, write ABC all on my chest//So the whole world can see, a bad luck child went west." I think the earlier lyrics are clear. I just wonder about the "write ABC" part, if I'm understanding that correctly. Is that ABC as in, e.g., the British railway guide? But why would that appear in an American blues song. Or were there American railway ABCs? Or....something else?
Thanks!
Heather

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bad Luck Child's Request
From: hsempl
Date: 06 Nov 14 - 02:05 PM

Answering my own question in part (I should have researched more before posting). It does look as if there was an ABC railway guide for the U.S. (http://www.davidrumsey.com/luna/servlet/detail/RUMSEY~8~1~272392~90046256:ABC-The-Pathfinder-Railway-Guide-Ma)

So just seeking confirmation that this is what the lyric is saying.
Thanks.
H