Talkin' Casey

https://www.flashlyrics.com/lyrics/mississippi-john-hurt/talking-casey-82

Andy's version:
Talkin’ Casey
John Hurt, Winwood Music Company, Inc. / The Adage Group LLC.
Adapted by Andrew M Cohen
This is the story of Casey Jones He was a mighty engineer
His train was never late He was never early always right on time
Every time every single time every single time except that one time
That was the first time and that was the last time
That time Casey was layin’ up in the South Memphis yard waitin’ for train time

Mrs. Casey was havin’ a bad time Mrs Casey was havin’ a dream in the dream Casey had a wreck
She gathered all her children around here and tied ‘em to her apron string
Down they went to the South Memphis yard down where Elvis lives
Walked all around the yard lookin’ for engine number 382 That’s Casey’s engine
They found Casey’s engine they found Casey There he was layin’ back waitin’ for train time

Mrs Casey she hollered up in the cab said “Casey Casey Jones Don’t leave me here
Casey Jones Don’t leave me here”
Little children commenced to cryin’ “ Daddy Daddy Don’t leave us here Daddy Don’t leave us here”

That was too much for Casey He told his fireman
His fireman’s name was Sim “Hit the bell Sim Let’s go”
You know there was only one track goin’ in and out of that yard
And all the trains got to take it comin’ and goin’
Casey’s engine was no different, goin’ over that track all bumpy and tore up like this

Finally get out of that yard, go down past South Haven down the Mississippi line
Everybody along the track knowed Casey by the sound of his whistle
They heard him coming comin’ by Byhalia
Olive Branch Mississippi That’s where you get that good catfish Olive Branch Mississippi
Goin’ out Hello Holly Springs headin’ toward Meridian makin’ some good time

What do ya know some fool left some sheeps grazin’ on that railroad track
Casey blowed his whistle for ‘em to get off the track
They wouldn’t get off the track He had to stop his train and run ‘em off
I heard Casey when he was cuttin’ down Casey stopped his engine
Run down along the tracks where them sheeps was
“Go home sheeps you got no business on my railroad tracks”
So the sheep went home

Casey run back to his engine he jumped back up in the cab
He threw the Johnson bar all the way back he had to make up his time
Hoboes wouldn’t even mess with that train goin’ so fast
They’d stand by the track with hat in their hand
Cussin’ out them sheep they’re makin’ em late
Doggone them sheep doggone them sheep doggone them sheep
Goin’ so fast big drivin’ wheel looks like it’s about to catch up with the little pony trucks in front
Everybody along the track knowed Casey by the sound of his whistle They heard him comin’
They heard him comin’ so fast til they thought he was gonna have a wreck
Heard one good Christian woman singing “Lord have mercy save me Lord”
Lord Oh Lord have mercy Lord save me Lord
Casey had a wreck. Don’t you have one.