Reckless motorman

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1. Yonder stands the reckless motorman, who says his age is twenty-one

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standing by his mainline motor, saying, “Folks, what have I done ?”

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2. “Is it true I've killed my brakeman, is it true that he is done ?

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Oh, I tried to stop my motor, but I could not stop in time !

+ instrumental = verse 2

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3. See the cars stacked upon him, see him raise his weary head.

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See his sister standing by him, crying, “Brother, are you dead ?”

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4. ”Sister, sister, I am dying, soon I'll be on yonder shore.

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Soon I'll have a home in heaven, there'll be no braking any-more

+ instrumental = verse 4

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5. “Go and tell my youngest brother, take these words true and in,

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to never start the day a-braking, for his life is sure to end !”

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6. “Go tell my father, who is weighman, what he weighs, to weigh it fair,

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there'll be no scales up in heaven to that meeting in the air.”

(The Carter Family)