Down on Mobile Delta, the fog's been rolling in
There's a towboat headed north with a heavy load of coal
But the crew's a little thin
The captain's sound asleep, first mate is at the wheel
Can't see a damn thing and not sure which way to go
They don't know their fate is sealed
With those barges way out front, they took a wide turn
Lead barge took a jolt but no one could see
Probably just a cypress tree
They drove on in the fog, but little do they know
They hit the swing bridge over Bayou Canot
And the train is rolling on
Fire on the delta burning through the fog
Lies heavy down on Bayou Canot
The only way to get there is by boat or by rail
Sunset Limited rolls on toward daybreak
A little late leaving New Orleans
Trying to make Jacksonville
Passed Mobile just before sunrise
Most passengers were lying still
Green lights clear over the delta, making pretty good way
They hit that bend in the rail sent them end over end
Down to a watery grave
Fire on the delta burning through the fog
Forty-seven souls in the swamp
The only way to get there is by boat or by rail
Sunset Limited lies in a watery grave