The Ballad of John Axon Ewan MacColl

John Axon was a railway man to steam trains born and bred
He was an engine driver at Edgeley loco shed
For forty years he followed and served the iron way
He lost his life upon the track one February day

The year was 1957, the morning bright and gay
On the 9th of February John Axon drove away
In a class 8 locomotive from Buxton he did go:
On the road to Chapel–en-le Frith his steam brake pipe did blow
It’s a seven-mile drop from Bibbington Top, oh Johnny
It’s 1 in 58 and you’ve no steam brake, oh Johnny
She’s picking up speed and the power is freed; it’s a prayer you’ll need
But you’ll never make it, Johnny
It’s hell on a plate, it’s a funeral freight, oh Johnny
It’s the end of a dream in steel and steam, oh Johnny
There’s a world in your head and you’re due at the shed and there’s life ahead
But you’ll never see it, Johnny

[CRASH]

It was 4 AM that Saturday John Axon left his bed
At five he drew his time-card at Edgeley loco shed
Just after six Ron Scanlon his fireman cried ‘Away’ -
It was a day no different from any other day

The iron road is a hard road and the work is never ending
Working night and day on the iron way -
We’re the boys who keep the engines rolling