Vernon Dalhart - Wreck of the Old '97 lyrics

They gave him his orders At Monroe, Virginia Sayin' Pete you're way behind time This is not '38, but its old '97 You must put her into Spencer on time He looked round an' said To his black, greasy fireman Jus' shove on in a lil' more coal And when we cross that wide old mountain You can watch old '97 roll It's a mighty rough road From Lynchburg to Danville In a line on a three mile grade It was on that grade That he lost his airbrake And you see what a jump he made He was goin' down the grade Makin' ninety miles an hour When his whistle broke into a scream He was found in the wreck With his hand on the throttle And a scalded to d**h by the steam Now ladies you must take warnin' From this time now and on Never speak harsh words To your true love and husband He may leave you and never return