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
[ acguitar ]
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