Engine Number Three

Our little Ella she don’t know much

     For a wee, wee girl is she;

But when night comes round she knows the sound

     Of engine number three.

For her papa is the engineer,

     And a fearless man is he;

For he stops and starts then drives ahead

     The monster engine three.

And whene’er the six o’clock express

     Screams forth her loud signal, she

Will clap her hands and say her papa

     Will soon be home to tea.

No, little Ella she don’t know much,

     For a wee, wee girl is she;

But I will be bound she knows the sound

     Of engine number three.

July 26, ‘93

 Pub. in Boston

Standard Jr.,

 May 17, 1895