Lyrics:

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

This is not 38 this is old 97 you must 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 old 97 roll

[ guitar ]

But it's a mighty rough road from Lynchburg to Danville

With a line on a three mile grade

It was on that grade that he lost his air brakes 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

A scalded to death by the steam

[ dobro ]

Then the telegram come to Washington station and this is how it read

Oh that brave engineer that run old 97 he's a layin' in old Danville dead

So now all you ladies you better take a warnin' from this time on and learn

Never speak harsh words to your true lovin' husband

He may leave you and never return