Early in the morning down in carriage B Joe’s catching flies, little Nicky yawns twice, while Leo’s sound asleep Now there’s a rumble on the tracks, and all the men spring to their feet And now Joe’s barking orders to the staff farther forward, who are shaking in their seats
The shots ring out Bang, bang, bang to the belly and the mouth Of the driver and those who complain The shots ring out Bang, bang, bang, and they all fall down But that ain’t gonna fix a broken train
The train it still ain’t moving, and Leo’s back to sleep Joe’s keeping quiet, little wine by his side, and he’s coughing in his seat Well, the rumours fill the carriage, and all the passengers come to see And now clearing his throat, pushing past little Joe, Nicky steps up and makes his speech
The speech rings out Down, down, down all the passengers shout Raise your glass, pass on the blame The speech rings out Down, down, down, sings the carriage loud But that ain’t gonna fix a broken train
Now Leo’s getting restless, he suggests changing seats Firm hand on the shoulder, and the comrades looking over; well…Nicky agrees And Leo’s grinning smugly, he’s got the answers they all need And taking from his hand, a few diagrams and plans for all the passengers to see
Close the curtains Pretend we’re moving, and the engine’s running Ignore all the passengers’ complaints Close the curtains Pretend we’re moving, and the engine’s running And that’s how to fix a broken train