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BAGGAGE COACH AHEAD Sung by: Mary Frances (Mrs. G.H.) Caldwell Recorded in Pine Bluff, AR 11/10/62 Click here to listen to the original recording As the train ran along, All the passengers had gone to bed Except a young man With a babe in his arms. He sat with a bowed-down head. The little one began Crying just then As if its poor heart would break. An angry man said, "Make that child stop its noise. It's keeping us all awake." "Where is its mother? Go take it to her." Relating, he softly said. "I wish that I could," Said the man in reply, "But she's dead in the coach ahead." Train rolled on; The husband sat in tears, Thinking of the happiness of just a few short years. Baby's face brings pictures Of a cherished hope that's dead. Baby's cries can't awaken her in the baggage coach ahead. Everyone then arose To assist with the child. There were husbands and wives on the train. Soon the little one Was sleeping in peace, Free from all sorrow and pain. Next morning he bade Them all goodbye. "God bless you," he softly said. Each one in their home Had a story to tell Of the baggage coach ahead. (Dr. Wolf: "That's good. Where'd you learn that?" Mrs. Caldwell: "Oh, I can't tell you. I don't . . . I just acquired them, I reckon. I don't know where I learned these songs." Dr. Wolf: "I was interested in what you said about your father telling you all to come out on the porch and sing at night." Mrs. Caldwell: "Yes, he would tell us . . . He'd say, "Come on out here now and sing awhile." Dr. Wolf: "And the whole family'd go sing, huh?" Mrs. Caldwell: "Yes. There was a big bunch of us. Nine, nine children." Dr. Wolf: "How many?" Mrs. Caldwell: "Nine, um hm.") Also found in Randolph, Vol. IV, #704. |
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All Songs Recorded by John Quincy Wolf, Jr., unless otherwise noted The John Quincy Wolf Folklore Collection Lyon College, Batesville, Arkansas Back to the Song Index Back to the Wolf Collection Homepage ©Copyright 2002 Lyon College |