Casey Jones – English Lyrics

• By: Johnny Cash

Lyrics & Translation

[English]

Come all you rounders if you wanna hear

The story about a brave engineer

Casey Jones was the roller's name

On a 6 8 wheeler course he rolled to fame

Caller called Casey 'bout a half past four

He kissed his wife at the station door

He climbed in the cabin with his orders in his hand

Said, "This is the trip to the promised land"

(Casey Jones) climbed in a cabin

(Casey Jones) orders in his hand

(Casey Jones) leanin' out the window

Takin' a trip to the promised land

Through South Memphis, yards on a fly

Rain been a-fallin' and the water was high

Everybody knew by the engine's moan

That the man at the throttle was Casey Jones

Well, Jones said, "Fireman, don't you fret

Sam Webb said I ain't a-givin' up yet

We're eight hours late with the southbound mail

Be on time or we're leavin' the rails"

(Casey Jones) climbed in a cabin

(Casey Jones) orders in his hand

(Casey Jones) leanin' out the window

Takin' a trip to the promised land

Dead on the rail was a passenger train

Blood was a-boilin' in Casey's brain

Casey said, "Hey, look out ahead!

Sam jump, Sam, jump or we'll all be dead"

With a hand on a whistle and a hand on a brake

North Mississippi was wide awake

I see a railroad official said

"He's a good engineer to be a-layin' dead"

(Casey Jones) climbed in a cabin

(Casey Jones) orders in his hand

(Casey Jones) leanin' out the window

Takin' a trip to the promised land

Headaches and heartaches and all kind of pain

Are all a part of the railroad train

Sweat and toil, the good and the grand

Are part of the life of the railroad man

(Casey Jones) climbed in a cabin

(Casey Jones) orders in his hand

(Casey Jones) leanin' out the window

Takin' a trip to the promised land

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
engineer /ˌen.dʒɪˈnɪər/ B1	noun - a person who designs, builds, or maintains engines, machines, or public works.
train /treɪn/ A1	noun - a series of connected railroad cars moved by a locomotive.
roll /roʊl/ A2	verb - to move by turning over and over.
fame /feɪm/ B2	noun - the condition of being known and talked about by people.
kiss /kɪs/ A1	verb - to touch with the lips as a sign of love or affection.
cabin /ˈkæbɪn/ A2	noun - a small shelter or room.
window /ˈwɪndoʊ/ A1	noun - an opening in the wall of a building or vehicle to admit light or air.
water /ˈwɔːtər/ A1	noun - the clear liquid that is essential for life.
throttle /ˈθrɒtəl/ B2	noun - a valve controlling the flow of fuel or steam in an engine.
fret /fret/ B1	verb - to feel or express worry or unhappiness.
rail /reɪl/ A2	noun - a bar or series of bars fixed horizontally to support a fence or barrier.
passenger /ˈpæsɪndʒər/ B1	noun - a person being conveyed in a vehicle.
boil /bɔɪl/ A2	verb - to heat a liquid until it becomes vapor.
brake /breɪk/ A2	noun - a device for slowing or stopping a vehicle.
official /əˈfɪʃəl/ B1	noun - a person holding a position of authority.
headache /ˈhedˌeɪk/ B1	noun - a continuous pain in the head.
heartache /ˈhɑːrtˌeɪk/ B2	noun - emotional anguish or grief.
toil /tɔɪl/ B2	noun - hard work.