ARI Smart Content - Data Table

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Bargery Number 678
Printer or Publisher Simkin Marshall & Co
Author Alexander Anderson of Kirconell (1845-1909)
Earliest Date 1862
Evidence for Earliest Date Anderson became a surfaceman or platelayer on the Glasgow and South-western railway in 1862. The work probably dates from later than 1873 when the first collection of his work A Song of Labour, and other poems was published. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Anderson_(poet)]
Latest Date 1877
Evidence for Latest Date Date of author's prefatory note to the source text.
Source of Text Songs of the Rail by Alexander Anderson pp 130-131
Where Printed London
Roud Not in the Roud Index
First Line "Where is Adams?" that was the cry
Source Title Stood at Clear
Origin Poem

Stood at Clear

"WHERE is Adams?" that was the cry,
"Let us question him before he die."

Naught around in the night was seen
Save the glimmer of lamps, where the crash had been.

Right across the six-feet_way¹,
One huge hulk, engine and tender lay,

While the wailing hiss of the steam took the air,
By fits, like the low, dull tone of despair.

But still above all, rose that one clear cry
"Speak to Adams before he die."

"Here," I said, "turn your lamps on me,"
And I laid Jim's head upon my knee,

"Jim, old mate," I said in his ear,
They will ask you a question-can you hear?"

Then I saw through the grime that was on his face,
A white hue coming with slow, sure pace;

And upon his brow by the light of the lamp,
Other dew than the night's lay heavy and damp.

"Speak to him-quick!" they bent and said,
"Did the distant_signal¹ stand at red?"

Broken and slow came the words with a moan,
"Stood-at-clear," and poor Jim was gone.

I turn'd my head away from the light
To hide the tears that were blinding my sight,

And pray'd from my heart, to God that Jim
Might find heaven's signals clear to him.

 

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