Casey Jones — The Union Scab Songtext
von Utah Phillips

Oh the workers on the SP line to strike sent out a call
But Casey Jones the union scab he wouldn′t strike at all
His boilers they were leaking and his drivers on the bum
And the engine and the bearings they were all out of plumb

But Casey Jones he kept his junk pile running
Casey Jones he was working double time
Casey Jones he got a wooden medal
For being good and faithful to the SP line

Now the workers said to Casey, 'Won′t you help us win this strike?'
He said, 'You better go along, go on and take a hike′
And someone threw a bunch of railroad ties across the track
And Casey hit the bottom with an awful smack


Casey Jones he hit the river bottom
Casey Jones he broke his blooming spine
But Casey Jones he was an Angelino
Who took a trip to Heaven on the SP line

Now Casey got to Heaven through the pearly gate
He said, ′I'm Casey Jones the guy that pulled the SP freight′
'You′re just the man,' said Peter, ′Our musicians went on strike'
'You can get a job of scabbing anytime you like′

Casey Jones he got up into Heaven
Casey Jones he′s doing mighty fine
Casey Jones went a-scabbing on the angels
Like he did to workers on the SP line

Now the angels got together said it was not fair
For Casey Jones to go around a-scabbing everywhere
And Angels Local 23 they sure was there
And they promptly fired Casey down the Golden Stair


Casey Jones he went to hell a-flying
'Casey Jones′, said the Devil, 'Oh fine!′
But Casey Jones get busy shoveling sulphur
That's what you get for scabbing on the SP line.