RUN, KATE SHELLEY, RUN

(by Adam Miller, adapted Will Quale)


Daddy was a section hand 
    Run, Kate Shelley, run
Proud to be a railroad man 
    Run, Kate Shelley, run
When he died, the lantern passed 
To a fifteen year old lass 
She held the mantle up with glass 
    Run, Kate Shelley, run

T'was on the 6th day of July 
    Run, Kate Shelley, run
Lightning flashing in the sky 
    Run, Kate Shelley, run
Swollen by the pouring rain 
Honey Creek was full of pain 
She heard its bridge fall with a train
    Run, Kate Shelley, run

	Run, Kate Shelley, run 
	In the pouring rain, 
	Run, Kate Shelley, run
	Can you stop the train?
	With your lantern lit so pale 
	Warn of danger on the rail 
	Stop the midnight mail 
	Run, Kate Shelley, run

Now the midnight mail was on the way 
    Run, Kate Shelley, run
She must run a mile without delay
    Run, Kate Shelley, run
To the station on the other side
Of the Des Moines River's trestle wide
And the river's running high
    Run, Kate Shelley, run

Designed to thwart men out on hikes
    Run, Kate Shelley, run
With boards removed and added spikes
    Run, Kate Shelley, run
Inch by inch and tie by tie 
She crawled across the trestle wide 
Saved the passengers in time 
    Run, Kate Shelley, run

	Run, Kate Shelley, run
	In the pouring rain, 
	Run, Kate Shelley, run
	Can you stop the train?
	With your lantern lit so pale 
	Warn of danger on the rail 
	Stop the midnight mail 
	Run, Kate Shelley, run

Where the Des Moines River flows 
    Run, Kate Shelley, run
Marks the spot her legend rose 
    Run, Kate Shelley, run
Rolling out across the plain 
Chicago & Northwestern trains
Cross the bridge that bears her name 
    Run, Kate Shelley, run

Back in 1881 
    Run, Kate Shelley, run
The bravest thing was ever done 
    Run, Kate Shelley, run
Still today in stormy times 
When lightening flashes in the sky 
See her dancing on the ties 
    Run, Kate Shelley, run

	Run, Kate Shelley, run 
	In the pouring rain, 
	Run, Kate Shelley, run
	Can you stop the train?
	With your lantern lit so pale 
	Warn of danger on the rail 
	Stop the midnight mail 
	Run, Kate Shelley, run
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