The Mallard
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Written by Dan Heptinstall of UK folk punk band Skinny Lister, this song marks the first Longest Johns original not written by a current or former member of the band. It was premiered on the 14 Jan 2026 livestream, and was officially released on the Ends of the Earth album on 1 May 2026.
Factoids
Mallard is a steam locomotive designed by British engineer Nigel Gresley to pull long-distance express trains. It holds the world speed record for steam locomotives at 126 mph (203 km/h), set on 3 July 1938. It traveled nearly 1.5 million miles (2.4 million km) before being retired in 1963 and moved to the National Railway Museum in York, where it remains part of the UK National Collection.[1]
Lyrics
Kindly provided by the band.
See the engine streaking through
A fetching hue of garter blue
I swear there was no finer view
When bravely down the track she flew
{Chorus}
Hear the rattle hiss and roar
Speed we'd never seen before
A clatter that you can't ignore
See the Mallard roll once more
Load the coal, Tom, stoke the flame
Down the line she'll pull again
Blew through like a hurricane
Forever we'll recall your name
{Chorus}
On the straight, Joe, let her go
Hold your nerve we're getting close
A head of steam about to blow
A record 126 we hold
{Chorus}
Rolling thunder shall not die
A lesson still in how to strive
For boldness and the gall to try
Gresley's dream is still alive
{Chorus 2x}