The Wreck of the 1256

The Wreck of the 1256 - Texas Ruby/Curly Fox

On that cold and dark cloudy evening

Just before the close of the day

There came Harry Lisle and Dillard

And with Anderson they rolled away

From Clifton Forge they started

And their spirits were running high

As they stopped at Iron Gate and waited

Till Old Number Nine went by

On the main line once more they started

Down the James River so dark and drear

And they gave no thought to the danger

Or the death that was waiting so near

They were gay and they joked with each other

As they sped on their way side by side

And the old engine rocked as she traveled

Through the night on that fast fatal ride

In an instant the story was ended

On her side in that cold river bed

With poor Harry Lisle in the cabin

With a deep fatal wound in his head

Railroad men you should all take warning

From the fate that befell this young man

Don't forget that the step is a short one

From this earth to the sweet Promised Land