Wreck of the Old 97

Lyrics for 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