Ballad of Kate Shelley, The
Song of the Month · 2018
Downloads
This song celebrates the amazing story of Kate Shelley, a seventeen year-old American hero. In my women's history concert I tell the story of Kate (under the lyrics), and then sing the song with the children. The song is a simplified version of her amazing adventure both before and after the night of the storm, and easily sung by younger children. Imagine an age without Internet where a story was so amazing it was shared around the world! Check out your local library for one of the easy non-fiction picture books about Kate. Then sing the song! Here's a LINK to a more detailed article that will astound you. You can modify it for the ages you work with, and it's great for homeschooling, too.
Lyrics
On a stormy summer night on the 6th of July
Kate Shelley saved the train
On a stormy summer night on the 6th of July
Kate Shelley saved the train.
Though she was only seventeen,
That night a hero she would be
As she ran into the darkness and rain
On a stormy summer night on the 6th of July,
Kate Shelley saved the train
She was standing at the window looking out at the rain
The night Kate Shelley saved the train
When she heard the awful sound
And knew the pilot train went down,
Kate Shelley saved the train
She ran out into the darkness and crawled out on the trestle
Had to make it to the station in time
She said you gotta get word to the Midnight Express
The bridge is out, they'll have to stop on a dime.
(Repeat first verse)
Free for any non-profit use. Please credit Nancy Stewart and link to nancymusic.com.