The Railroad Hog

O, sing to fame the railroad hog,

     The only man aboard;

The modest chump who daily has

     Rich blessings on him poured.

He pays his cash for half a seat,

     But watch and you will see

His merchandize, his coat and bag

     Beside his majesty.

So modest is this railway lord,

     He ne’er looks up to see

The swaying forms, the wistful eyes

     Of tired humanity.

Himself, his royal, lordly self,

     Must be at perfect ease;

And so the sheet before his nose

     Is all he really sees.

What shall we say, what shall we do

     To help this noble soul?

Get him a special parlor car

     And give him full control?

Or shall we one and all join in,

     Drop dinner bag and pail,

And lift him gently from his seat

     And ride him on a rail!

Feb. 10, 1894

Pub. in Courier

Feb. 20, ‘94 

Written at the suggestion of Walter Lay, O.C.R.R., Whitman, Mass.