In Long Steel Rail Norm Cohen says he had a hard time finding a "complete" original version of this song, since there are so many versions. This version was printed in Railroad Man's Magazine in 1913, and may be the earliest text.

THE WRECK ON THE C. AND O.

Along came the F.F.V., the fastest on the line,
A running on the C. and O road, thirty minutes behind time,
As she passed the Sewalls it was quarters on the line;
And they received new orders to make up some lost time.

CHORUS
Many man's been murdered by the railroad, railroad,
Many man's been murdered by the railroad and lain in his lonesome grave.

When she arrived at Hinton the engineer was there,
His name was Georgie Alley, with bright and golden hair,
His fireman, Jackie Dickerson, was standing by his side,
Waiting to get orders, both in the cab to ride.

Georgie's mother came to him with a basket on her arm,
Saying 'georgie dear, my darling son, be careful how you rUn
Many a poor man's lost his life trying to make up all lost time,
But if you hold your engine right, you'll get there just on time,'

'Oh, mother, I know your advice is good, to the letter I'll take heed,
I know my engine is all right, I know that she will speed;
It's over this road I mean to fly with speed unknown to all,
And when I blow for the stock-yard gates they'll surely hear my call.'

Georgie stepped into his cab, the throttle he did pull,
Off the engine darted like a fire in angry wool.
It's o'er this road I mean to fly with speed unknown to all,
And when I blow for Big Bend tunnel they'll surely hear my call.'

Georgie said to his fireman, 'Jack, a little more extra steam,
I mean to pull old No. 4 the fastest you ever seen.
I mean to pull her through, my boy, with speed unknown to all,
And when I blow for Clifton Forge they'll surely hear my call.'

Georgie said to his fireman, 'Jack, a rock ahead I see!
I know that death is waiting there to grab both you and me.
From this cab now you must leap, your darling life to save;
I want you to be an engineer when I'm sleeping in my grave.'

Oh, no, George, I will not go, I want to die with you.
'Oh, no, Jack I'll die for both me and you.'
From the cab poor Jack did fly, New River it was high,
And as he kissed his hand to George old No. 4 flew by.

On the engine darted and against the rock she crashed,
Upside down the engine turned, her tender body mashed,
His head against the fire-box the burning flames rolled o'er,
'I am glad I was born an engineer to die on 44.'

Georgie's mother came to him, saying 'Son, what have you done?'
'Too late, too late, mother dear, my race is almost run,
But if I had a local train, the truth to you I'll tell,
I would run her into Clifton Forge, or drop her into hell,'

The doctor said to Georgie, 'My darling son be still,
Your precious life may yet be saved if it be God's blessed will.'
'Oh, no,' said Georgie, 'I want to die, I am ready now to go;
I want to die with the engine I love, and that's old 44.'

from Long Steel Rail, by Norm Cohen