Lyrics:

Well they gave him his orders at Monroe, Virginia, 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 black, greasy fireman, 'Shovel on a little more coal. 'And when we cross that White Oak mountain, 'Watch Ol' '97 roll.'



And then a telegram come from Washington station, This is how it read: 'Oh that brave engineer that run ol 97, 'Is lyin in old Danville dead.'



'Cos he was going down a grade making 90 miles an hour, The whistle broke into a scream. He was found in the wreck with his hand on the throttle, Scalded to death by the steam.



One more time!



Oh, now all you ladies you'd better take a warning, From this time on and learn. Never speak hard words to your true-lovin' husband. He may leave you and never return. Poor Boy.