''In The Baggage Coach Ahead'' LYRICS HERE = Vernon Dalhart on Blue Amberol 5011

Vernon Dalhart sings ''In The Baggage Coach Ahead'' on Edison Blue Amberol 5011, issued in 1925.

On a dark stormy night as the train rattled on,
all the passengers had gone to bed.
Except one young man with a babe in his arms,
who sat there with a bowed down head.
The innocent one began crying just then,
as though its poor heart would break.

One angry man said, "Make that child stop its
noise, for it's keeping all of us awake!"

"Put it out" said another. "Don't keep it in
here. We've paid for our berths
and want rest!"

But never a word said the man with the
child as he fondled it close to his breast.

"Where is its mother? Go take it to
her"--this a lady then softly said.

"I wish that I could!" was the man's sad
reply. "But she's dead in the coach
ahead."

While the train rolled onward, a
husband sat in tears, thinking of the
happiness of just a few short years.

For baby's face brings pictures of a
cherished hope that's dead.

But baby's cries can't waken her in
the baggage coach ahead.

Every eye filled with tears
when his story he told,
of a wife who was faithful and true.

He told how he'd saved
all his earnings for years,
just to build up a home for two.

How when heaven
had sent them
this sweet little babe,
their young happy lives were blessed.

His heart seemed to break
when he mentioned her name,
and in tears
tried to tell them the rest.

Every woman arose
to assist with the child.
There were mothers
and wives on that train.

And soon was the little one
sleeping in peace,
with no thought of
sorrow or pain.

Next morn' at a station
he bade all "Goodbye" ,
"God Bless You"
he softly said.

Each one had a story
to tell in their home,
of the baggage coach ahead.

This song from 1896 was revived in the 1920s and in later times. It is by Gussie L. Davis. Gussie Lord Davis was born in Dayton, Ohio. He lived from December 3, 1863, to October 18, 1899.

Davis was one of America's earliest successful African-American music composers. His most successful song was "In The Baggage Coach Ahead" (1896).

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