Puffing slowly along the track
Passengers sipping champagne
sitting comfortably back to back
on the midnight steam train.
Some care to drink tea from a china cup
Others prefer scones with whipped cream
The music from the rails steps up
as they glide over the silver stream.
The guardsman signals a stop ahead
The passengers get ready to disembark
It is the time the ladies tend to dread
fumbling around in the dark.
The engine driver's stomach moans
It needs refuelling like the pit
The coal is poked and glows
and the ashes redden bit by bit.
Bread is laid upon the *****
And fed into the heat
Bacon is laid upon the toast that's made
and their breakfast is almost complete.
A quick stop then no turning back
the whistle is blown and the passenger's choke
as the steam train puffs merrily up the track
leaving behind a trail of smoke.