Cisco Houston – Wreck Of The Old '97 lyrics

Well, he gave him his orders
At Monroe, Virginia,
Sayin', "Steve, you're a-way 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."

It's a mighty rough road
From Lynchburg to Danville
A line on a three-mile grade
It was on that grade
That he lost his average
You can see what a jump he made

He was goin' down the grade
Making 90 miles an hour
His whistle broke into a scream
They found him in the wreck
With his hand on the throttle
He was scalded to death by the steam

Now ladies, you must all take a warning
From this time now and learn
Never speak harsh words to your true lovin' husband
He may leave you and never return.