The Trainman

On the eastern grade of the switcher yard, down at Medicine Hat There’s a tendency for cars to roll toward the Dunmore hill Back when I was switching trains there, one got loose on me Sit a spell and grip your seat for the beans I'm about to spill There were only four boxcars, no engine or caboose A couple of flat decks at the tail In all six cars were loose I caught up to it quick enough Jumped on and tied a hand brake down Well that didn’t do a gosh darn thing Get back down on the ground Outrun that headless train, I mean, catch up to the next car Jump on again tie down the brake and again she barely felt it Jump off again and back to running A boxcar now, outrun it Jump on again, what’s this a ladder Yes, the brake’s up there Up the ladder, tie the brake Not much effect so far Down again, onto the ground Out run the next boxcar Climb onto and up it like a boxcar acrobat Crank another hand brake on She's slowing, how about that Outrun the next and then the next My very last handbrake If this one doesn’t stop these cars I’ll surely take the cake A train is coming into town, right down the Dunmore Hill Won’t they be surprised, if these cars decide to spill I crank the brake, she squeals and moans Small train now comes to rest Big train goes by, and the cars are clear The engine-man can see He blows the horn, whips off his hat And just shakes his head at me