The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #80440   Message #2215527
Posted By: GUEST,Jonathan Hewlett
14-Dec-07 - 05:59 PM
Thread Name: Origins: Jerry Go and Oil That Car
Subject: Lyr Add: JERRY GO ILE THAT CAR (Harry McClintock)
You can find it in the book LONG STEEL RAIL.
Here are the lyrics.

JERRY, GO ILE THAT CAR
As recorded by Harry McClintock (as "MAC") on Victor 21521-A, 1928. [Listen on the Internet Archive.]

Come all ye railroad section men and listen to my song.
It is of Larry O'Sullivan, who now is dead and gone.
For twenty years the section boss, he never hired a tar,
And it's "J'int ahead and center back, and Jerry, go and ile that car."

For twenty years the section boss he worked upon the track,
And be it to his credit, he never had a wreck;
For he kept every j'int right up to the p'int with a tap of the tampin' bar,
And while the b'ys were shimmin' up the ties, it's "Jerry, would you ile that car."

And every Sund'y morning unto the gang he'd say:
"Me b'ys, prepare ye; be aware, the old lady goes to church today.
Now, I want every man to pump the best he can, for the distance it is far,
And we have to get in ahead o' Number Tin; so Jerry, go and ile that car."

'Twas in November in the wintertime and the ground all covered wit' shnow,
"Come put the handcar on the track and over the section go."
Wit' his big soldier coat buttoned up to his t'roat, all weathers he would dare,
And it's "Paddy Mack, will you walk the track, and Jerry, go and 'ile the car."

God rest you, Larry O'Sullivan, to me you were kind and good,
Ye always made the section men go out and chop me wood;
And fetch me water from the well and chop me kindlin' fine,
And any man that wouldn't lend a hand, 'twas "Larry, give him his time."

"Give my respects to the roadmaster," poor Larry he did cry,
"And l'ave me up that I may see the old handcar before I die.
Then lay the shpike maul on me chest, the gauge and the old plow-bar,
And while the b'ys will be fillin' up the grave, oh, Jerry, would you 'ile that car."