Wreck of the Old 97

Well they gave him his orders at Monroe Virginia said, "Steve, you're way behind time
This is not '38 this is ol' '97 give us put her into Spencer on time"
Then he turned around and said to his black greasy fireman shovel on a little more coal
And when we cross that White Oak Mountain watch ol' '97 roll

But 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 airbrakes
See what a jump he made

He was going 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

Then a telegram come to Washington station and this is how it read
Oh that brave engineer that done run ol' '97 he's lyin' down in old Danville dead

So now all you ladies you better take a-warnin'
From this time on and learn
Never speak harsh words to your true lovin' husband
He may leave you and never return