The Southern Cannonball (Jimmie Rodgers)

Well, I had to quit railroadin’, we didn’t agree at all
There was always sump’n wrong with the Southern Cannonball

Once I loved a maiden -- a lady fair and tall
Her father was an engineer on the Southern Cannonball

She promised she would wed me in the merry month of June
We’d go to the magic island, have a honeymoon

Then my dreams were shattered -- she put me off with a stall
She said the whistle is broken on the Southern Cannonball

Well, I loved that girl sincerely, so I fixed the whistle back
The very next thing she says to me is the caboose is off of the track

Well, both day and night I labored to get it back with the train
When all was ready for the highball the bell refused to ring

Well, I fixed that bell in a jiffy, and I called for Preacher Dunn
We tied the knot in an old boxcar but the train refused to run

Well, I had to quit railroadin’, we didn’t agree at all
There was always sump’n wrong with the Southern Cannonball