Ben Dewberry's Final Run
Jimmie Rodgers Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Ben Dewberry was a brave engineer
He told his fireman don't you ever fear
All I want is the water and coal
Put your head out the window, watch the drivers roll
Watch the drivers roll watch the drivers roll
Put your head out the window, watch the drivers
Roll
Ben Dewberry said before he died
Two more roads that he wanted to ride
His fireman asked him what could they be
Said the old Northeastern and the A and B
The A and B he said the A and B
It's the old Northeastern and the A and B

On the fatal morning it began to rain
Around the curve come a passenger train
Ben Dewberry was the engineer

With the throttle wide open and without any fear
He didn't have no fear he didn't have no fear
He had her runnin' wide open without any fear

Ben looked at his watch shook his head
We may make Atlanta but we'll all be dead
The train was flyin' by the troublin' switch
Without any warning then she took the ditch
Yea! she went in the ditch well, she took the ditch
Without any warning then she took the ditch

The big locomotive leaped from the rail
Ben never lived to tell that awful tale
His life was ended and his work was done
When Ben Dewberry made his final run





He made his final run he made his final run
When Ben Dewberry made his final run

Overall Meaning

The song "Ben Dewberry's Last Run" by Jimmie Rodgers tells the tragic story of the titular train engineer and his last journey. The song opens with Ben Dewberry being introduced as a fearless engineer who assures his fireman that all he needs is water and coal to keep the train moving. The chorus urges the listeners to watch the drivers roll, encouraging them to witness the power of the train.


As the song progresses, it becomes clear that Ben Dewberry is aware of his impending death. He reveals that he has two more routes he wants to ride before he dies, the Northeastern and the A and B. Soon after, a passenger train approaches and Ben Dewberry accelerates the train, despite the fact that he knows they won't make it to Atlanta. As the train rounds a corner, it derails, killing Dewberry and his crew.


One of the striking elements of this song is the contrast between Ben Dewberry's bravery and his tragic fate. Despite his fearlessness, he cannot escape death when his time comes. This is a powerful reminder of the fragility of human life and the inevitability of death.


Overall, "Ben Dewberry's Last Run" is a poignant tale of courage and tragedy. Through its vivid storytelling and memorable chorus, it pays tribute to the people who risk their lives every day on the railroads.


Line by Line Meaning

Ben Dewberry was a brave engineer
Ben Dewberry was a courageous train driver


He told his fireman don't you ever fear
He assured his assistant not to worry


All I want is the water and coal
He just needed water and coal for the train


Put your head out the window, watch the drivers roll
Look out the window to see the wheels rolling


Ben Dewberry said before he died
Before he passed away, Ben Dewberry expressed


Two more roads that he wanted to ride
His desire to ride two more train routes


His fireman asked him what could they be
His assistant inquired about the routes


Said the old Northeastern and the A and B
He mentioned the two routes as the old Northeastern and the A and B


On the fatal morning it began to rain
The day of the accident began to rain


Around the curve come a passenger train
A passenger train appeared around the bend


Ben Dewberry was the engineer
Ben Dewberry was driving the train


With the throttle wide open and without any fear
He drove the train with the throttle fully open without being scared


Ben looked at his watch shook his head
Ben checked his watch and shook his head


We may make Atlanta but we'll all be dead
They might reach Atlanta but would die in the process


The train was flyin' by the troublin' switch
The train was moving quickly near a problematic junction


Without any warning then she took the ditch
Suddenly the train derailed and crashed


The big locomotive leaped from the rail
The heavy engine jumped off the tracks


Ben never lived to tell that awful tale
Ben could not survive to tell the horrific story


His life was ended and his work was done
His life and profession both finished


When Ben Dewberry made his final run
At the end of his last ride, Ben Dewberry passed away




Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: ANDREW JENKINS, JIMMIE RODGERS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@jeannelevrier4249

Lyrics to Ben Dewberry’s Final Run recorded by Jimmie Rodgers the singing brakeman:

Ben Dewberry was a brave engineer
He told his fireman don't you ever fear
All I want is the water and coal
Put your head out the window, watch the drivers roll
Watch the drivers roll watch the drivers roll
Put your head out the window, watch the drivers
Roll
Ben Dewberry said before he died
Two more roads that he wanted to ride
His fireman asked him what could they be
Said the old Northeastern and the A and B
The A and B he said the A and B
It's the old Northeastern and the A and B
On the fatal morning it began to rain
Around the curve come a passenger train
Ben Dewberry was the engineer
With the throttle wide open and without any fear
He didn't have no fear he didn't have no fear
He had her runnin' wide open without any fear
Ben looked at his watch shook his head
We may make Atlanta but we'll all be dead
The train was flyin' by the troublin' switch
Without any warning then she took the ditch
Yea! she went in the ditch well, she took the ditch
Without any warning then she took the ditch
The big locomotive leaped from the rail
Ben never lived to tell that awful tale
His life was ended and his work was done
When Ben Dewberry made his final run
He made his final run he made his final run
When Ben Dewberry made his final run
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Andrew Jenkins / Jimmie Rodgers
Ben Dewberry's Final Run lyrics © Peermusic Publishing



All comments from YouTube:

@juleswins3

Hard to believe it’s been nearly a hundred years since Jimmie recorded this song. His guitar playing skills are on good display!

@number10dinkydau

It's as good as good gets. Real music from long ago.

@birdwife589

sick ass guitar solo for 1927

@glennrichardson8883

His life was ended and his work was done 🤘🏻

@charlessansom4849

This is one of the very first songs I can ever remember hearing.  What a blast from the old days!  Such a loss at a young age. 

@mikekaup5252

A true story

@stephenparis9595

Proof positive that rock and roll existed before anyone called it rock and roll.

@Pentagonshark666

Jimmie Rodgers made a real blues.

@clarencewood6620

This is beautiful!!

@bobbeck5866

How much better can you get. He was and is the best ever

More Comments

More Versions