“Jim Blake”

Description

"'Jim Blake, your wife is dying,' came over the wires tonight." Railroad engineer Blake wires back that he is coming. But his train is wrecked, "derailed by an open switch." Blake's last message to his wife says they'll meet in heaven

Recordings

• The Carter Family, "Jim Blake's Message" (Decca 5467, 1935)
• Vernon Dalhart, "Jim Blake" (Brunswick 173, 1927); "Jim Blake the Engineer" (Columbia 15192-D [as Al Craver], 1927)

References

1. Cohen-LSRail, pp. 332-337, "Jim Blake's Message" (2 texts, 1 tune)
2. Spaeth-WeepMore, pp. 139-140, "Jim Blake" (1 text)
3. cf. Gardner/Chickering, p. 479, "Jim Blake" (source notes only)
4. Roud #3531
5. BI, GC479b