Digital Tradition Mirror

Casey Jones - Union Scab

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Pennywhistle notation and Dulcimer tab for this song is also available

Casey Jones - Union Scab
(Joe Hill)

The Workers on the S. P. line to strike sent out a call;
But Casey Jones, the engineer, he wouldn't strike at all;
His boiler it was leaking, and its drivers on the bum,
And his engine and its bearings, they were all out of plumb.

  Casey Jones kept his junk pile running;
  Casey Jones was working double time;
  Cagey Jones got a wooden medal,
  For being good and faithful on the S.P. line.

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."
Then Casey's wheezy engine ran right off the worn-out track,
And Casey hit the river with an awful crack.

  Casey Jones hit the river bottom;
  Casey Jones broke his blooming spine;
  Casey Jones was an Angeleno,
  He took a trip to heaven on the S. P. line.

When Casey Jones got up to heaven to the 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 went on strike;
You can get a job a-scabbing any time you like."

  Casey Jones got a job in heaven;
  Casey Jones was doing mighty fine;
  Casey Jones went scabbing on the angels,
  Just like he did to workers on the S. P. line.

They got together and they said it wasn't fair
For Casey Jones to go around a-scabbing everywhere.
The Angel Union No. 23 they sure were there,
And they promptly fired Casey down the Golden Stair.

  Casey Jones went to Hell a-flying;
  Casey Jones, the Devil said, "Oh fine;
  Casey Jones, get busy shoveling sulfur
  That's what you get for scabbing on the S.P. Line."

* or:
Casey said, "Let me alone, you'd better take a hike!"
Then someone put a bunch of railroad ties across the track,
And Casey hit the river with an awful smack.

  @parody @union @train @work
  IWW songbook 1912 edition
  filename[ UNCASJON
  play.exe UNCASJON
  RG

Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!