Pete Seeger: “Casey Jones, the Union Scab”

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CASEY JONES (THE UNION SCAB)
(Joe Hill) (1911)

Recorded by: Manhattan Chorus; Pete Seeger.

The workers on the S.P. Line to strike 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;
Casey Jones, got a wooden medal, for being good and
Faithful on The S. P. Line. 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 out of track,
And Casey hit the river with an awful crack.

Casey Jones, hit the river bottom,
Casey Jones broke his blooming spine,
Casey Jones became and 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 are 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."