Thought it might be a nice change of pace to move over to the
hisrorical aspect of our hobby and share with the list the lyrics of
the sheet music that I recently aquired on Ebay. It is titled The
Fast Mail and was composed by AM Bruner and copyrighted in 1897
by "The Burlington Route". First verse: Swinging out into the
silence of the early autumn morn. With it's pow'rful headlight
glowing, through the golden fields of corn; Clanging bell and
rattling switches, in the early morning light. Thund'ring down the
splendid highway, speeds the "fast mail" in it's flight. Chorus:
Hear the rumble and the grumble, listen to the mighty roar. Like the
waves of ocean breaking on a wild and rocky shore. See the midnight
cloud that's pouring from the smokestack like a gale. And the flying
dust and cinders from the early morning mail. Second verse: Louder
rolls the mighty thunder, louder clangs the tireless bell. Wilder
shrieks the warning whistle; each the startling story tell. Pouring
out the canvas "pouches" on each platform without fail. Like a
hunted deer still flying, speeds the early morning mail. Chorus;
Third verse: Through Aurora, past Mendota, leaving Princeton far
behind; Galesburg lost to sight and Monmouth, passed as howling ocean
wind; "Burlington" the "honored city", reached almost before 'tis
light. Grand, triumphant march of progress is the "fast mail's"
daily flight. Chorus: The sheet music had a very nice picture of
the engine 550 and a coach. There was a Burlington Route logo and
above it was the words, published by the Burlington Route Passenger
Department. As many are aware, the PR department of the Burlington
took a back seat to none.
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