North Bound Train

歌詞

North bound train was crowded, on a cold December day Conductor shouted, "Tickets!" in his old accustomed way When a little girl of seven, azure eyes and hair of gold Said, "I've got no ticket, Mister," then this little story told "My mother sews, to earn our bread, from early morn till night My father is in prison, and they say he's lost his sight" She then told him of her mission, and how she ran away To go and see the Governor, and for a pardon pray She was going for a pardon, on that cold December day A pardon for her dad, whose sight was fading fast away She said her little sister and brother would be glad If she would only bring them back her poor blind dad The conductor tried to answer, but he couldn't make reply As with his big, rough hand he wiped a teardrop from his eye Softly murmuring, "God bless you, little one, stay where you are You will never need a ticket while I am on this car" She told him in a whisper how her father broke the Laws But loved his wife and babies, and how liquor was the cause When the train had reached the station, he took her by the hand And led her from the depot to the Gov'nor's mansion grand She was going for a pardon, on that cold December day A pardon for her dad, whose sight was fading fast away She said her little sister and brother would be glad If she would only bring them back her poor blind dad When the Gov'nor heard her story, he wondered at her plea As from her baby lips came forth, "Please set my father free He is getting old and feeble, and his shaven head is gray And besides, you know, poor Dad is blind and cannot find his way Just then the Gov'nor's child came in and saw Nell on her knees A-praying for a pardon, she said "Sign it, papa, please!" Next day the Gov'nor led her up to a prison cell Unlock'd the door and sent the poor blind father home with Nell She was going for a pardon, on that cold December day A pardon for her dad, whose sight was fading fast away She said her little sister and brother would be glad If she would only bring them back her poor blind dad