The pistol fires
McKinley falls
Doc says, 'McKinley
I can't find that ball'
In Buffalo
In Buffalo
'Tain't but one thing
That grieves my mind
That is to die
And leave my poor wife behind
I'm gone
A long old time'
Zolgotz, Zolgotz
You done him wrong
Shot po' McKinley
When he's walking along
In Buffalo
In Buffalo
Yonder comes the train
She's comin' down the line
Blowin' at every station
'Mr. McKinley's a-dyin'
It's hard
Hard times
Doctor on a horse
He tore down through Maine
Said to that horse
"You've got to out-run this train
To Buffalo
To Buffalo"
Doctor come a-runnin'
Takes off his specs
Says, 'Mr. McKinley
You done passed in your checks
Bound to die
You're bound to die'
McKinley he hollered
McKinley squalled
Doc says, 'McKinley
I can't find that ball'
From Buffalo
To Washington
'Tain't but one thing
That grieves my mind
That is to die
And leave my poor wife behind
I'm gone
A long old time'
'Look-a here, you rascal
See what you've done
You've shot my husband
With that Ivor Johnstone gun
He'll be gone
A long old time'
'Hush up, little children
Now don't you fret
You'll draw a pension
At your Papa's death
He'll be gone
A long old time"
Forty-four boxes
All trimmed in lace
'Take him back to baggage
Where we can't see his face'
From Buffalo
To Washington
Roosevelt in the White House
He's doin' his best
McKinley in the graveyard
He's takin' a rest
He's gone
A long old time
The engine she whistled
All down the line
Blowin' at every station
'McKinley is dyin'
From Buffalo
To Washington
Roosevelt in the White House
Drinkin' out a silver cup
McKinley in the graveyard
He'll never wake up
He's gone
A long old time