Dave Alvin
Lyric guide

Engine 143

Read Engine 143 lyrics by Dave Alvin on LyroVerse, with linked artist context and related song paths.

Dave Alvin visibility1 visits
person Curated by Ethan Walker LyroVerse team
Reference snapshot

The page facts to cite before the commentary

Use this page for the lyric text, linked artist context, and any LyroVerse editor's note attached to the song. Listener comments remain user-generated and should not be treated as the primary source.

Page type: lyric reference Artist: Dave Alvin Canonical path: /dave-alvin/engine-143 Related lyric paths: 6
Lyrics

Engine 143

The lyric stays readable and compact here; the note and related paths sit nearby so you do not lose the song while looking for context.

Along came the f-15 the swiftest on the line

Running over the c and o road just twenty minutes behind

Running into sou'ville headquarters on the line

Receiving their strict orders from a station just behind

Georgie's mother came to him with a bucket on her arm

Saying, "my darling son, be careful how you run

Many a man has lost his life by trying to make lost time

But if you run your engine right, you'll get there just on time"

Up the road he darted against the rocks he crushed

Upside down the engine turned and georgie's breast did smash

His head was against the firebox door the flames were rolling high

I'm glad I was born to be an engineer on the c and o road to die

The doctor said to georgie, "my darling son be still

Your life may yet be saved if it is God's blessed will"

"Oh no", said george, "that will not do I want to die so free

I want to die for the engine I love one hundred and forty three"

The doctor said to georgie, "your life cannot be saved"

Murdered upon a railroad and laid in a lonesome grave

His face was covered up with blood his eyes you could not see

The very last words poor georgie said was, "nearer my God to thee"

Quick answers

What this page can answer fast

Who performs "Engine 143"?

Dave Alvin performs "Engine 143", and this lyric page sits inside the Dave Alvin catalog on LyroVerse.

Are there related songs to explore after "Engine 143"?

Yes. The related section below points to East Texas Blues and 1968 with a short reason for opening each page next.

Where can I find more songs by Dave Alvin?

Use the artist link near the top of the page or the related paths section below to keep moving through Dave Alvin's lyric pages.

Song Room

Interpretations, questions, and corrections for this song

Interpretations, questions, memories, and correction notes live together here. The room stays noindex while the best insights are reviewed.

Open Song Room
0 followers Selected insights only surface after moderation
Listener comments

What people are saying

0 comments
Add a short interpretation or memory

A strong comment here is specific: the phrase you keep hearing, the mood you come back for, or the reason this song stays in rotation.

Sign in to post the first listener note. Reporting stays open to everyone.

No listener comments on Engine 143 yet.