Wallace Saunders:
Wallace Saunders, An African American Engine Wiper, Always Admired Train Conductor, Casey Jones.
So, On April 30, 1900, When Saunders Heard That His Friend, Jones Had Crashed The Cannonball Express Of The Illinois Central Line Into A Stationary Train, After Rounding A Curve Near Vaughan, Mississippi, He Wrote A Song In His Honor.
The Epic Tune Was Sung In Vaudeville Houses Across The Country And Became One Of America's Classic Folk Songs.
There Have Been Several Versions Of "The Ballad Of Casey Jones" Over The Years. In Exchange For The Song's Copywright, Saunders Received A Bottle Of Gin.
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THE BALLAD OF CASEY JONES
Come all you rounders listen here,
I'll tell you the story of a brave engineer.
Casey Jones was the hogger's name.
On a six-eight wheeler, boys, he won his fame.
Caller called Casey at half-past four,
he kissed his wife at the staion door.
Mounted to the cabin with his orders in his hand
and took his farewell trip to the promised land.
Put in your water and shovel in your coal,
Put your head out the window
Watch the drivers roll.
I'll run her till she leaves the rail
'Cause we're eight hours late with the Western Mail.
He looked at his watch and his watch was slow,
Looked at the water and the water was low.
Turned to his fireboy, then he said,
'We're bound to reach 'Frisco
But we'll all be dead.'
"In Order For Black History To Live, We Must Continue To Breathe Life Into It." -- Hubert Gaddy, Jr.
