[Verse 1]
Along came the FFV, the swiftest on the line
Running o'er the C&O road, just 20 minutes behind
Running in to Seville headquarters on the line
Receiving very strict orders, from a station just behind

[Verse 2]
George's mother came to him with a bucket on her arm
Saying, "My darling son, be careful how you run
For many a man has lost his life trying to make lost time
And if you run your engine right
You'll get there just on time."

[Verse 3]
Up the road he darted, against the rocks he crushed
Upside down the engine turned and Georgie's breast did smash
His head was against the firebox door, the flames were rolling high
I'm glad I was born an Engineer on the C&O road to die

[Verse 4]
The doctor said to Georgie, "My darling boy, be still
Your life may yet be saved, if it is God's blessed will."
"Oh no," said George, "that will not do, I want to die so free
I want to die for the engine I love, one hundred and forty three."

[Verse 5]
The doctor said to Georgie, "Your life cannot be saved."
Murdered upon the railroad and laid in a lonesome grave
His face was covered up with blood, his eyes they could not see
And the very last words poor Georgie said was
"Nearer my God to Thee."