The Wreck Of The Old '97 Lyrics

They give him his orders at Monroe, VirginiaSayin', "Steve you're way behind timeThis is not Thirty-Eight, but it's old Ninety-SevenYou must put her in Spencer on time"Then he looked 'round and said to his black greasy fireman"Just shovel in a little more coalAnd when we cross that white oak mountainYou can watch old Ninety-Seven roll"It's a mighty rough road from Lynchburg to DanvilleIn a line on a three mile gradeIt was on that grade where he lost his airbrakesSo you see what a jump he madeHe was goin' down grade makin' ninety miles an hourAnd his whistle broke into a screamHe was found in the wreck, with his hand on the throttleAnd scalded to death by the steamNow, ladies, you must all take warningFrom this time on and learnNever speak harsh words to your true lovin' husbandHe may leave you and never return