The Wreck On The Southern Old 97 by Henry Whitter Lyrics

[Verse 1]
They gave him his orders at Monroe, Virginia
Sayin' "Steve, you're way behind time
It's 8:38, and it's the Old '97
Gotta put her into Danville on time"

[Verse 2]
Steve Brady he said to his black, greasy fireman
"Shovel on a little more coal
I'm waitin' to pass them wide-open mountains
Gonna see the Old '97 roll"

[Chorus]
It's a mighty rough road from Lynchburg to Danville
On a line with a three-mile grade
It was down that line where he lost his air-brakes
You can see what a jump he made

[Verse 3]
He's comin' down that line makin' ninety miles an hour
The whistle broke into a scream
They found him in the wreck with his hand upon the throttle
He'd been scalded to death by steam
[Verse 4]
Well, come on now, all you ladies
From this time on, now learn
Don't you ever say harsh words to your true-lovin' husband
He'll leave you and never return