Wreck of the Old 97

They gave him his orders at Monroe, Virginia

They said, "Steve you're way behind time

This is not '38, this is old '97

Put her into Spencer on time"

Then he turned around and said to his big greasy fireman

"Hey, shovel on a little more coal

And when we cross that White Oak Mountain

Watch old '97 roll"

It's a mighty rough road from Lynchburg to Danville

In a line on a three mile grade

It was on that grade that he lost his air brakes

You see what a jump he made

He was goin' down the grade makin' 90 miles an hour

His whistle broke into a scream

He was found in the wreck with his hand on the throttle

Scalded to death by the steam

Well now, all you ladies, you better take a warnin'

From this time on and learn

Never speak harsh words to your true lover husband

He may leave you and never return