"The Wreck Of The Old 97" lyrics - CISCO HOUSTON

Well, he gave his orders at Monroe, Virginia,
Saying, "Steve, you're away behind time.
This is not 38, but she's Old 97,
You must put her into Spencer on time."
Well, he turned and he said to his tired, greasy fireman,
"Shovel on a little more coal,
And when we cross that White Oak Mountain,
You can watch Old 97 roll."
Well, it's a mighty rough road from Lynchberg to Danville,
A line on a three-mile grade.
It was on this grade that he lost his average,
You can see what a jump he made.
He was going down the grade a-making ninety miles an hour,
His whistle broke into a scream.
They found him in the wreck with hand on the throttle,
He was scalded to death by the stream.
Now, ladies, well, you must take warning
From this time now and learn,
Never speak harsh words to your true loving husband,
He may leave you and never return.