On a cold winter's night not a star was in sight

And the north wind came howling down the line

With his sweetheart so dear stood a brave engineer

With his orders to pull old No 9

She kissed him goodbye with a tear in her eye

But the joy in his heart he could not hide

Oh the whole world seemed bright when she told him that night

That tomorrow she'd be his blushing bride

Oh the wheels hummed a song as the train rolled along

And the black smoke came pouring from the stack

And the headlight agleam seemed to brighten his dream

Of tomorrow when he'd be coming back

He steered around the hill and his brave heart stood still

For a headlight was shining in his face

And he whispered a prayer as he drew on the air

Or he knew this would be his final grace

In the wreck he was found lying there on the ground

And he asked them to raise his weary head

As his breath slowly went this the message he sent

To the maiden who thought she would be wed

There's a little white home that I built for our own

Where I dreamed we'd be happy by and by

But I leave it to you for I know you'll be true

Till we meet at the golden gate goodbye

Writer : ROBINSON, CARSON
Copyright : Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group