But in the winter three years back
We lit us a night fire by the track,
And the snow came up and the fire it flew
And we couldn't find the warming room for two.
One had to suffer, so I left him the fire
And I went to the weather from my heart's desire.
It was night on the line, it was no more fire,
But the zero whistle through the icy wire.
As I went suffering through the snow
Something like a shadow came moving slow.
I went up to it and I said a word;
Something flew above it like a kind of bird.
I leaned in closer and I saw a face;
A light went round me but I kept my place.
My heart went open like an apple sliced;
I saw my Saviour and I saw my Christ.
Well, you may not read it in a book,
But it takes a gentle Saviour to give a gentle look.
I looked in his eyes and I read the news;
His heart was having the railroad blues.