The Wreck Of The Old 97

They give him his orders at Monroe Virginia

Saying Steve you’re way behind time

This is not 38 but this is Old 97

Put her in Spencer on time

Then he looked around and said to his black greasy fireman

Just shovel on a little more coal

And when we cross that White Oak Mountain

You can watch Old 97 roll

And when a telegram comes from Washington Station

And this is how it read

Oh that brave engineers that run old 97

Is lying in old Danville dead

He was going down grade making 90 miles an hour

When his whistle broke into a scream

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

And was scalded to death by the steam

Now ladies you must take warning

From this time on and learn

Never speak harsh words to your true loving husband

He may leave you and never return