“West River Railroad”

Description

"We've got a little railroad And it isn't very wide. We put in twenty thousand And quite a lot beside." Few travelers take the train: "A sheriff and a parson, Three ladies... and a little red calf." After humorous incidents, all arrive

Supplemental text

West River Railroad
  Partial text(s)

          *** A ***

From Helen Hartness Flanders & George Brown, Vermont Folk-Songs
& Ballads, pp. 198-199. Apparently from Mrs. E. W. White of
Westminster Station, Vermont.

We've got a little railroad
And it isn't very wide.
We put in twenty thousand
And quite a lot beside.
They took all our money --
It was something of a chunk;
It is being run now
By the old Grand Trunk.

(4 additional stanzas)

Notes

Reportedly written for a home talent play, which somehow survived thirty years to be included in Flanders and Brown. (To be fair, it's much funnier than most such songs).

Apparently the song is about a locally-financed railroad which was, at best, only mildly successful.

No tune is shown, but I suspect "I Hard a Little Nut Tree." - RBW

References

1. Flanders/Brown, pp. 198-199, "West River Railroad" (1 text)
2. ST FlBr198 (Partial)
3. Roud #5454
4. BI, FlBr198