The Wreck of the Old 97

Well, they give him his orders in Monroe, Virginia
Saying teach you're way behind time
This ain't 38 but it's old 97
And you've got to be in center on time

Well, he turned around to his black, greasy fireman
Said, "Shovel in a little more coal
When we cross that White Old Mountain
You can watch old 97 roll"

Well, it's a mighty rough road from Lakesburg to Danville
And a line on a three-mile grade
It is on this grade that he lost his airbrakes
And you see what a jump he made
He was a-goin' down the grade makin' 90 miles an hour
And his whistle broke out in a scream
It is on that grade that he lost his airbrakes
And you see what a jump he made

Well, ladies you must all take a warning
From this time now and on
Never speak harsh words to your true-lovin' husband
He might leave you and never come home

He was a-goin' down the grade makin' 90 miles an hour
And his whistle began to scream
And we found him in the wreck
With his hand on his throttle
And scalded to death by the steam

Well, ladies you can all take a warning
From this time now and on
Never speak harsh words to your true-lovin' husband
He may leave you and never return