"Well they gave him his orders at Monroe Virginia
Sayin Steve your way behind time
This is not 38 this is old 97
Put her into Spencer on time.
Well he turned around and said to his black greasy fireman
Hey shovel on a little more coal
And when we cross that White Oak mountain
Watch old 97 roll
A telegram came from Washington station
And this is how it read
That brave engineer that ran old 97
Is lyin in old Danville dead
He was comin down that grade makin ninety miles an hour
His whistle broke into a scream
They found him in that wreck with his hand on the throttle
Scalded to death by the steam.
So now all you ladies you better take a warnin
From this time on and learn
Never speak harsh words to your true love or husband
He may leave you and never return.
Lyrics submitted by
Harry
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"