Track 1: Performed by Mr. Dies Burton and Recorded by Professor McIntosh (May 1, 1952): RP WMP MP3
Track 2: Performed by Bucky Halker and The Complete Unknowns and Recorded on the CD Welcome to Labor Land (2002): RP WMP MP3
Very early on Christmas morning, 1904, two night passenger trains on the Southern Railroad line-the eastbound Train Number 1 to Louisville and the westbound Train Number 2 to St. Louis-were due to pass each other at their regular meeting point at Bellmont, Illinois. However, a series of unfortunate mistakes occurred, including the display of the wrong signal light by a railroad operator, leading the engineer of the eastbound train, a Mr. Buchanan, to believe that the coast was clear. As both trains rounded a curve near Maud, Illinois, they crashed head-on into each other. Seven people were killed, and eight more were injured. Although Buchanan was able to escape with only minor injuries, the engineer of the westbound train, Mr. Al Bowen, died in the crash. As noted in the lyrics of the song, before boarding the train Bowen told a friend he had a bad feeling about making his run that night. His instincts were right.
Mr. Dies Burton, the singer on Track 1, was a distant relative of the fireman working that night on Bowen's train. Burton, although a little nervous about his skill as a solo performer, gives a clear, straightforward, and unaccompanied rendition of his version of the song.
Bucky Halker, Track 2, lists Clara Bowen of Princeton, Indiana, as the composer of the song. It is essentially the same song as performed on Track 1 by Burton, but with some interesting variations.
Note that although the factual content of both versions is identical, some of the wording is different - a common occurrence when songs and stories are passed along from person to person over time. Also, the Halker version on Track 2 includes a guitar accompaniment. Listen to how this instrument is used to suggest the sound of the speeding locomotives, increasing slightly in tempo and volume as the song progresses. The tragic end of the story is captured by the guitar's final dissonant chord.
Track 1: RP WMP MP3
Track 2: RP WMP MP3
For more information, please visit the official Words, Wood & Wire site.
