The Wreck of the Old '97 - Hank Snow

They give him his orders at Monroe, Virginia

Sayin', «Steve, you’re way behind time

This is not 38, but it’s Old 97

You must put her in Spencer on time.»

Then he look around 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.»

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 airbrakes

Oh, you see what a jump he made

He was goin' down grade making 90 miles an hour

When his whistle broke into a scream

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

And was scalded to death by the steam

Now ladies, you must take warning

From this time on and learn

Never speak harsh words to your true love or husband

He may leave you and never return