Pete Seeger
Casey Jones (The Union Scab)
[Verse 1]
The workers on the S.P. Line for strike sent out a call
But Casey Jones, the engineer, he wouldn't strike at all
His boiler it was leakin' and the drivers on the bum
And the engines and the bearin' they were all outta plumb
[Chorus 1]
Casey Jones kept his junk-pile runnin'
Casey Jones was workin' double time
Casey Jones got a wooden medal
For bein' good and faithful on the S.P. Line
[Verse 2]
The workers said to Casey: "Won't you help us win this strike?"
But Casey said: "Let me alone, you'd better take a hike."
Well, Casey's wheezy engine ran right off the wheezy track
And Casey hit the river with an awful smack
[Chorus 2]
Casey Jones hit the river bottom
Casey Jones broke his bloomin' spine
Casey Jones turned into an angel
He got a trip to Heaven on the S.P. Line
[Verse 3]
When Casey got to Heaven, way up to that Pearly Gate
He said: "I'm Casey Jones, the guy that pulled the S.P. freight."
"You're just the man," said Peter, "our musicians are on strike;"
You can get a job a-scabbin' any time you like."
[Chorus 3]
Casey Jones got a job in Heaven
Casey Jones was doin' mighty fine
Casey Jones went scabbin' on the angels
Just like he did to workers on the S.P. Line
[Verse 4]
Well the angels got together, they said it wasn't fair
For Casey Jones to go around a-scabbin' everywhere
The Angels' Union Number 23, they sure were there
They promptly fired Casey down the Golden Stair
[Chorus 4]
Casey Jones a-went to Hell a-flyin'
"Casey Jones," the Devil said, "Oh, fine:
Casey Jones, get busy shovelin' sulfur;
It's what you get for scabbin' on the S.P. Line."