Wreck Of The Old 97

They gave him his orders at Monroe, Virginia
They said "Steve, you're way behind time
This is not 38, this is Ol' '97
Put her into Spencer on time"
Then he turned around and said to his big greasy fireman
"Hey, shovel on a little more coal
And when we cross that white ol' mountain
Watch Ol' '97 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 air brakes
You see what a jump he made
He was goin' 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
Well now all you ladies you better take a warning
From this time on and learn
Never speak harsh words to your true lover husband
He may leave you and never return