Lyrics:

They gave him his orders at Monroe Virginia sayin' Steve you're way behind time

This is not 38 but that's old 97 you must put her in Spencer on time

Then he looked round 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

[ ac.guitar ]

It's a mighty rough road from Lynchburg to Danville with a line on a three mile grade

It was on that grade where he lost his airbrakes so you see what a jump he made

He was goin' down the grade making ninety miles an hour

When his whistle broke into a scream

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

A scalded to death by the steam

[ piano ]

Now ladies you must all take a warning from this time on and learn

Never speak harsh words to your true lovin' husband he may leave you and never return