The Southern Dixie Flyer lyrics

At the station house one day

Was a lady old and gray

I could tell that her heart was feelin' sad and low

With a teardrop in her eye

She was tryin' not to cry

I determined then her story I would know

I ventured a word

And this sad, sad tale I heard

Of a mother who had lost her only child

Yes they've taken her away

These words I heard her say

And they're travelin' on that Southern Dixie Flyer1

She was only sweet sixteen

And the only joy I've seen

What God has given, now He takes away

She'll be taken home again

On that southbound railroad train

To be laid there with her daddy in the grave

I've no money of my own

I can't even take her home

But I want to be there with my heart's desire

But then she could say no more

As the echo drifted o'er

Was the whistle of that Southern Dixie Flyer

As the train pulled out of sight

And the day became as night

Was a scene to bring a tear to any eye

Just a lady all alone

Not a thing to call her own

But some memories from a better day gone by

I knew right away

There was nothin' I could say

To soothe her heart

Or dry those tear-dimmed eyes

So I turned to walk away

From the lady old and gray

Whose heart was on that Southern Dixie Flyer

I've no money of my own

I can't even take her home

But I want to be there with my heart's desire

And then she could say no more

As the echo drifted o'er

Was the whistle of that Southern Dixie Flyer

1. The Dixie Flyer was a premier named passenger train that operated from 1892 to 1965 via the "Dixie Route" from Chicago and St. Louis via Evansville, Nashville, and Atlanta to Florida.