by Kenneth Brown

Created on: May 04, 2008

copyright 2008 based on a short story by Tim Gautreaux

I'm Waitin' for the Evening News

My name is Jesse McNeil, chemical train engineer
I was chargin' down that main line, I didn't need to steer
It's true that I was drinkin', but that didn't cause the sparks
We were passin' through a small town when that train broke plum apart

That locomotive lurched like something grabbed it from behind

Rear cars were foldin' in like a squeezebox down the line
I pulled up on the throttle and climbed down from the cab
Then a tanker blew and a 7-11 became a concrete slab

Chorus:
Now I'm waitin' for the Evening News, and it's not a pretty sight
They're televisin' that train wreck, blamin' me with all their might
My half pint of whiskey didn't make that train derail
But those 50 tank cars burning will send me straight to jail

I knew that I'd be blamed, no matter what the truth
You can't explain away nothin' when you been drinkin' 90 proof
I ran into New Orleans to the Night O' Delight Motel
Paid 15 dollars for a room and checked right into Hell

Now I sit in front of a TV, watchin' tankers burn and boom
Waitin' for the FBI right here in Satan's Living Room
Why they even put Lurleen on, she was throwin' a hissy fit
My sweet, lovin' wife said it didn't surprise her a bit (spoken: Thanks, Lurleen)

Chorus

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