They say Jimmy Darby wrecked a train last night
It was the Fort Jackson ten twenty-four
No survivors were found, but there weren't many folks around
Nobody rides that line anymore (praise the Lord)
Nobody rides that line anymore

I'm burning coal in the falling snow
And there ain't no turning back now when I go
Lord above, I send my love
Wrecking trains on the only road I know


They say Jimmy Darby took a drink last night
Of some white-label Winn-Dixie shine
He said "When I go, that whistle's gonna blow.
They'll weep for me up and down the line (Lord, Lord)
They'll weep for me up and down the line."

I'm burning coal in the falling snow
And there ain't no turning back now when I go
Lord above, I send my love
Wrecking trains on the only road I know


They say Jimmy Darby wrote a letter last night
It was a strange kind of suicide line
He said "My body's bound for hell, so honey hear me well
I'll take as many with me as I can (Lord, Lord)
I'll take as many with me as I can."

I'm burning coal in the falling snow
And there ain't no turning back now when I go
Lord above, I send my love
Wrecking trains on the only road I know


They say Jimmy Darby drowned his wife last night
She was his beauty and his lover and his friend
He said "I don't know if your crime only happened in my mind
But we're all bound to answer in the end (little sister)
We're all bound to answer in the end."

I'm burning coal in the falling snow
And there ain't no turning back now when I go
Lord above, I send my love
Wrecking trains on the only road I know