Long Lost John

In The Baggage Coach Ahead
Composer(s): Gussie L. Davis; Stephen Dankner



On a dark stormy night
as the train rattled on
all the passengers
had gone to bed
Except one young man
with a babe in his arms
who sat there with a
bowed down head

The innocent one
began crying just then
as though its poor heart
would break

One angry man said
"Make that child stop its noise
for it's keeping all of us awake"

"Put it out" said another
"don't keep it in here
we've paid for our berths
and want rest"

But never a word
said the man with the child
as he fondled it
close to his breast

"Where is it's mother
go take it to her"
this a lady then softly said

"I wish that I could"
was the man's sad reply
"but she's dead
in the coach ahead"

While the train rolled onward
a husband sat in tears
thinking of the happiness
of just a few short years

For baby's face
brings pictures of
a cherished hope
that's dead

But baby's cries
can't waken her
in the baggage
coach ahead

Every eye filled with tears
when his story he told
of a wife who was faithful and true

He told how he'd saved
all his earnings for years
just to build up a home for two

How when heaven
had sent them
this sweet little babe
their young happy lives were blessed

His heart seemed to break
when he mentioned her name
and in tears
tried to tell them the rest

Every woman arose
to assist with the child
There were mothers
and wives on that train

And soon was the little one
sleeping in peace
with no thought of
sorrow or pain

Next morn' at a station
he bade all "Goodbye"
"God Bless You"
he softly said

Each one had a story
to tell in their home
of the baggage coach ahead

While the train rolled onward
a husband sat in tears
thinking of the happiness
of just a few short years
for baby's face brings pictures of
a cherished hope that's dead

But, baby's cries
can't waken her
in the baggage coach ahead