Skimbleshanks, the Railway Cat
The Cat of the Railway Train
There's a whisper down the line
At eleven thirty-nine
When the Night Mail's ready to depart
Saying, "Skimble, where is Skimble?
Has he gone to hunt the thimble?
We must find him or the train can't start!"
All the guards and all the porters
And the stationmaster's daughters
Would be searching high and low
Saying "Skimble, where is Skimble?
For unless he's very nimble
Then the Night Mail just can't go."
At eleven forty-two
With the signal overdue
And the passengers all frantic to a man
That's when I would appear
And I'd saunter to the rear
I'd been busy in the luggage van!
Then he gives one flash
Of his glass-green eyes
And the signal goes "All Clear!"
And we're off at last
For the northern part
Of the Northern Hemisphere!
Skimbleshanks, the Railway Cat
Skimbleshanks, the Railway Cat
Skimbleshanks
Skimbleshanks
Skimbleshanks, the Railway Cat
The Cat of the Railway Train
You could say that by and large
It was me who was in charge
Of the Sleeping Car Express
From the driver and the guards
To the bagmen playing cards
I would supervise them all, more or less
I will watch without winking
And I'll see what you are thinking
And it's certain that I wouldn't approve
Of hilarity and riot
So the folk are very quiet
When Skimble is about and on the move
You can play no pranks with Skimbleshanks
I'm a Cat that cannot be ignored!
So nothing goes wrong
On the Northern Mail
When Skimbleshanks is aboard
Oh, it's very pleasant
When you've found your little den
With your name written up on the door (Woo! Woo!)
And the berth is very neat
With a newly folded sheet
And there's not a speck of dust on the floor
Then the guard looks in politely
And will ask you very brightly
"Do you like your morning tea?
(Weak or strong)
But I was just behind him
And was ready to remind him
For Skimble won't let anything go wrong
When you creep into your cozy berths and pull up the counterpane
You ought to reflect that it's very nice
To know that you won't be bothered by mice
You can leave all that to the Railway Cat
The Cat of the Railway Train
Skimbleshanks, the Railway Cat (Skimbleshanks)
The Cat of the Railway Train
And he gives you a wave
Of his long brown tail
Which says, "I'll see you again!"
You will meet without fail
On the Midnight Mail
The Cat of the Railway Train!
