Lyrics:

Yonder stands the reckless motorman
Who says his age is twenty-one
Standing by his mainline motor
Saying, 'Folks, what have I done?'


'Is it true I've killed my brakeman
Is it true that he is dying
Oh, I tried to stop my motor
But I could not stop in time'


[INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]


See the cars stacked up on him
See him raise his weary head
See his sister standing by him
Crying, 'Brother, are you dead?'


'Sister, sister, I am dying
Soon I'll be on yonder shore
Soon I'll have a home in heaven
There'll be no braking anymore'


[INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]


'Go and tell my youngest brother
Take these words true an end
To never start a day a-braking
For his life is sure to end'

'Go tell my father, who is weigh man
What he weighs, to weigh it fair
There'll be no scales up in heaven
To that meeting in the air'