The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #7829   Message #47413
Posted By: Gene
30-Nov-98 - 08:58 PM
Thread Name: Origin: Ben Dewberry's Final Run (Andrew Jenkins)
Subject: Lyr Add: BEN DEWBERRY'S FINAL RUN (Jimmie Rodgers)
Here's Jimmie Rodgers version.
Hank Snow also recorded it.
As well as several others.
Would have to LOOK UP the history of the song.
How 'bout it, Dale? you got any INFO?

BEN DEWBERRY'S FINAL RUN
Recorded by Jimmie Rodgers
Words and music by Andrew Jenkins

Ben Dewberry was a brave engineer
He told his fireman don't you ever fear
All I want is the water and coal
Put your head out the window, watch the drivers roll
Watch the drivers roll - watch the drivers roll
Put your head out the window; watch the drivers roll.

Ben Dewberry said before he died
Two more roads that he wanted to ride
His fireman asked him what could they be
Said the old Northeastern and the A and B
The A and B - he said the A and B
It's the old Northeastern and the A and B.

On the fatal morning it began to rain
Around the curve come a passenger train
Ben Dewberry was the engineer
With the throttle wide open and without any fear
He didn't have no fear - he didn't have no fear
He had her runnin' wide open without any fear.

Ben looked at his watch - shook his head
We may make Atlanta but we'll all be dead
The train was flyin' by the troublin' switch
Without any warning then she took the ditch
Yea! she went in the ditch - well, she took the ditch
Without any warning - then she took the ditch.

The big locomotive leaped from the rail
Ben never lived to tell that awful tale
His life was ended and his work was done
When Ben Dewberry made his final run
He made his final run - he made his final run
When Ben Dewberry made his final run.