Chapter 17: Skimbleshanks the Railway Cat

"Well, now that we've learned about dear old Gus, who do we have next?" Sly asked. "Oh, this next one is quite an energetic cat." Old Deuteronomy said. "What's his name?" Parvati asked. "Skimbleshanks, the Railway Cat." Old Deuteronomy said, gesturing to Skimbleshanks sleeping on the trunk.

[Skimbleshanks the Railway Cat]

Old Deuteronomy & Jemima: Skimbleshanks the railway cat

All: The cat of the railway train!

There's a whisper down the line at 11:49

When the Night Mail's ready to depart

Saying "Skimble! Where is Skimble?

For unless he's very nimble

We must find him or the train can't start!"

Upon hearing them call his name, Skimbleshanks woke up and joined in on the song.

Skimbleshanks: All the guards and all the porters and the station masters' daugthers

Will be searching high and low

Saying "Skimble! Where is Skimble?

For unless he is very nimble

Then the Night Mail just can't go!"

At 11:42 with the signal overdue

And the passengers are frantic to a man

That's when I would appear, and I'd saunter to the rear

I'd been busy in the luggage van

All: Then he gave one flash of his glass green eyes

And the signal went all clear

Skimbleshanks: They'd be off at last for the northern part

Of the Northern Hemisphere

All: Skimbleshanks the railway cat!

The cat of the railway train!

Skimbleshanks: You could say that by and large

It was me who was in charge

Of the sleeping car express

From the driver and the guards

To the bagmen playing cards

I would supervise them all

More or less

All: Down the corridor he paces

And examines all the faces

Off the travelers in the first and the third

He establishes control by a regular patrol

And he'd know at once if anything occurred

He would watch you without winking

And he saw what you were thinking

And it's certain that he didn't approve

Of hilarity and riot, so the folk were very quiet

When Skimble was about and on the move

You could play no pranks with Skimbleshanks

He's a cat that cannot be ignored

So nothing went wrong on the Northern Mail

When Skimbleshanks was aboard

The heroes joined with the cats around Skimbleshanks as he continued.

Skimbleshanks: It was very pleasant when they found their little den

With their name written up on the door (All: Woo! Woo!)

And the berth was very neat with a newly folded sheet

And not a speck of dust upon the floor

There was every sort of light

You could make it dark or bright

And a button you could turn to make a breeze (All: Woo! Woo!)

And a funny little basin you're supposed to wash your face in

And a crank to shut the window should you sneeze.

Rumpleteazer sneezed immediately, startling everyone. "Gesundheit." Peyton said.

Then the guard looked in politely

And would ask you very brightly

"Do you like your morning tea…"

All: "Weak or strong?"

Skimbleshanks: But I was just behind him and was ready to remind him

For Skimble won't let anything go wrong

All: When they crept into their cozy berths and pulled up the counterpane

Toms: They all could reflect it was very nice

To know that they wouldn't be bothered by mice

They could leave all that to the railway cat

All: The cat of the railway train

Skimbleshanks the railway cat

The cat of the railway train

As they sang, they opened the trunk, grabbed some pieces of junk and made a makeshift train.

Skimbleshanks the railway cat

The cat of the railway train

Skimbleshanks: In the watches of the night, I was always fresh and bright

Every now and then, I'd have a cup of tea

With perhaps a drop of scotch

While I was keeping on the watch

Only stopping here and there to catch a flea

They were fast asleep at Crewe and so they never knew

That I was walking up and down the station

They were sleeping all the while

I was busy at Carlisle

Where I met the station master with elation

They would meet me at Dumfries if I summon the police

If there was anything they'd ought to know about

All: When they got to Gallowgate, then they need not have to wait

For Skimbleshanks would help them to get out

As Skimble escorted Old Deuteronomy, the makeshift train fell apart, much to the heroes' shock. But Skimble and Old Deuteronomy shrugged it off.

And he gives you a wave of his long brown tail

Which says "I'll see you again"

You will meet without fail on the Midnight Mail,

The cat of the railway train

As they came around to the closing of the number, the cats lifted Skimbleshanks into the air.

You will meet without fail on the Midnight Mail,

The cat of the railway train

The heroes applauded at the end. "That was spectacular." Maxxor said. "Beautiful. Very beautiful." Cho said. "That was one of the best things I have ever seen." Neville said. "These cats have some good contestants for the Jellicle Choice." Hermione said. "I can't wait to see who Old Deuteronomy will choose in the end." Ron said. Harry's thoughts suddenly shifted to Grizabella, hoping that she'll have her shot.