On that cold and dark cloudy evening
Just before the close of the day
There came Harry Lisle and Dillard
And with Anderson they rolled away
From Clifton Forge they started
And their spirits were running high
As they stopped at Iron Gate and waited
Till Old Number Nine went by
On the main line once more they started
Down the James River so dark and drear
And they gave no thought to the danger
Or the death that was waiting so near
They were gay and they joked with each other
As they sped on their way side by side
And the old engine rocked as she traveled
Through the night on that fast fatal ride
In an instant the story was ended
On her side in that cold river bed
With poor Harry Lisle in the cabin
With a deep fatal wound in his head
Railroad men you should all take warning
From the fate that befell this young man
Don't forget that the step is a short one
From this earth to the sweet Promised Land