Oh, they gave him his orders in Monroe, Virginia
Saying Steve you're way behind time
This is not 38, this is old 97
You must put her into Spencer on time

Well, he turned around and said to his black greasy fireman
Shovel in a little more coal
And when we cross the White Oak Mountain
Just watch old 97 roll

It's a mighty rough road through the Lynchburg to Danville
In a line on a three mile grade
It was on that grade that he lost his air brake
You can see what a jump that he made

He was goin' down the grade makin' 90 miles an hour
when his whistle broke into a scream
He was found in the wreck with his hand on the throttle
Scalded to death by the steam

Oh, now all you ladies please take a warnin'
From this time now and learn
Oh, never speak harsh words to your true lovin' husband
He may leave you and never return

Oh, they gave him his orders in Monroe, Virginia
Saying Steve you're way behind time
This is not 38, this is old 97
You must put her into Spencer on time
Oh, you must put her into Spencer on time