The Mystery Of Number Five
Unraveling Fate's Tale: A Railroad Man's Unexpected Journey
Lyrics
I stepped out this morning To
I went outside in the morning
Watch my drivers roll
To observe my drivers (train conductors) in action
To hear my whistle blowing While
To listen to the sound of my whistle while the fireman shovels coal
The fireman slings the coal
The fireman is fueling the engine
When I got to the switchyard
Arriving at the switchyard
I heard a brakeman say
Overhearing a brakeman commenting on the cold engine
"Oh what a mystery your engine's cold today"
Expressing surprise at the engine's condition
Up stepped a little maiden With
A young woman with a tear in her eye approaches
A teardrop in her eye
Addressing the narrator as "Mister Man"
She began, Oh Mister Man
The woman begins to speak
Do you pull old Number Five?
Asking if the narrator operates train Number Five
My daddy was your fireman
Her father served as the fireman on the narrator's train
And he often spoke of you
He spoke highly of the narrator's character
Of being so kindhearted, So honest, so brave
Describing the narrator as kindhearted, honest, brave, and true
So true
Expressing positive qualities about the narrator
He was found dead this morning
Her father was found dead on trestle number five
On trestle number five
He was discovered in that location this morning
On his way to prepare the
He was on his way to prepare the morning train (Number Five)
Morning train for you
Explaining the circumstances of her father's death
The story explaining the myst'ry By
The young woman learned the story, revealing the mystery
A little maiden was told
It was the first time in history, as told by the maiden
'Twas the first time in history
Describing the uniqueness of the situation
I found my engine cold
The narrator found the engine cold for the first time
So you railroad men take warning
A warning to other railroad workers
And play this game fair
Urging fairness and integrity in their actions
So when the Master calls on us
Preparing for a higher calling or meeting with a higher power
We'll meet my fireman up there
Anticipating a reunion with the fireman in the afterlife
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