Well they gave him his orders at Monroe Virginia
Saying Steve you're way behind time
This is not 38 but it's old 97 you must put her into Spencer on time
Well he turned around and said to his fireman shovel in a little more coal
And when we cross this big White Mountain we'll watch old 97 roll
(guitar)
It's a mighty rough road from Lynchburg to Danville and a line on a three mile grade
It's on that grade that he lost his airbrakes you see what a jump he made
They were goin' down the grade makin' 90 miles an hour
When his whistle broke into a scream
He was found in the wreck with his hand on the throttle
A scalded to d**h by the steam
(guitar)
Now all you ladies we take a warning from this time now and learn
Never speak harsh words to your true loving husband
He may leave and never return