The Wreck of the Old '97

by Johnny Cash

From the album: Johnny Cash With His Hot and Blue Guitar!

Track 10 of 16 on Johnny Cash With His Hot and Blue Guitar! (1957).

Duration: 1:48

Johnny Cash With His Hot and Blue Guitar! cover art

Lyrics for The Wreck of the Old '97

They gave him his orders at Monroe, Virginia Sayin', "Steve you're way behind time This is not Thirty-Eight This is ol' Ninety-Seven Put her into Spencer on time" Well 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 ol' Ninety-Seven 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 airbrakes You see what a jump he made He was going down the grade makin' ninety 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 lovin' husband He may leave you and never return

Listen On

More from Johnny Cash With His Hot and Blue Guitar!

  1. Rock Island Line
  2. I Heard That Lonesome Whistle
  3. Country Boy
  4. If the Good Lord's Willing
  5. Cry! Cry! Cry!
  6. Remember Me (I'm the One Who Loves You)
  7. So Doggone Lonesome
  8. I Was There When It Happened
  9. I Walk the Line
  10. The Wreck of the Old '97
  11. Folsom Prison Blues
  12. Doin' My Time
  13. Country Boy (Demo - First Recording)
  14. Cry! Cry! Cry! (Alternate Version, Extended Take 1)
  15. I Walk the Line (Alternate Version, Take 1)
  16. Folsom Prison Blues (Alternate Version, Take 2)