The Man Who Put The Engine In The Chip Shop

[Verse 1]
I started as a cleaner, back in 1939
I planned to spend my life just working up and down the line
Devoted to the company 'til the driver's seat was mine
I never thought that it would be my downfall

[Verse 2]
I was working on the night shift, with nothing much to do
So I sloped off out of the foreman's sight, well really, wouldn't you?
And I came across a' number 4 just waiting for the crew
And I clambered on the footplate like a driver

[Chorus]
I'm the man that put the engine in the chip shop
Wherever I go, my legend follows me
And as I watch the trains go by, and lean upon my brush
I know I've made my mark in history

[Verse 3]
Well, she hadn't got much steam up, so I filled her up with coal
Released the brake, and opened up the reg to make her roll
But she wouldn't budge an inch, and when I heard the forman call, I left her where she was and left for cover

[Verse 4]
Well, the sun was just appearing when the foreman went his rounds
He was back inside a minute, with a troubled sort of frown
He said, "I've lost a number 4, have you seen one around?"
And I nearly filled my trousers when he asked me

[Chorus]
'Cause I'm the man that put the engine in the chip shop
Wherever I go, my legend follows me
And as I watch the trains go by, and lean upon my brush
I know I've made my mark in history

[Verse 5]
Well, my stoking was impeccable, steam had risen fast
With the regulator open, she began to move at last
And a guard fell off his bicycle when he saw her rolling past
For he couldn't see a fireman or a driver

[Verse 6]
She took off down the main line, going faster by the yard
When the signal responded to a phone call from the guard
Put the signals all at danger, then he cursed himself so hard
There was no one on the footplate who could see them

[Chorus]
Well I'm the man that put the engine in the chip shop
Wherever I go, my legend follows me
And as I watch the trains go by, and lean upon my brush
I know I've made my mark in history

[Verse 7]
She continued on her journey through the morning countryside
Collecting sets of crossing gates, she carried them with pride
'Til at last they set the points to get the runaway inside
And she headed for the buffers at the station

[Verse 8]
Well, the buffers never stood a chance, she wore them like a crown
A wooden fence, a footbridge, and a telegraph pole went down
Then she took to the highway and went on towards the town
But she couldn't bring herself to pass the chip shop

[Chorus]
I'm the man that put the engine in the chip shop
Wherever I go, my legend follows me
And as I watch the trains go by, and lean upon my brush
I know I've made my mark in history

[Verse 9]
Well, she entered by the side door, and there she came to rest
They made her safe, and then went off to find the guilty pest
And it wasn't long before they tracked me down and I confessed to being the man that put the engine in the chip shop

[Chorus]
I'm the man that put the engine in the chip shop
Wherever I go, my legend follows me
And as I watch the trains go by, and lean upon my brush
I know I've made my mark in history