Lyrics

They give him his orders in Monroe, Virginia
Sayin', "Steve, you're way behind time
This is not '38, this is old '97
Put her into Spencer on time"

Well, he turned and said to his tired, greasy fireman
Shovel on a little more coal
And when we reach that white oak mountain
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 leverage
Y'all see what a jump he made

He was going down the ball makin' 90 miles an hour
When the whistle broke into a scream
He was found in the wreck, with his hand on the throttle
Scalded to death by the steam

Now all you ladies you better take a warning
From this time on and learn
Don't speak ill words to your true lovin' husband
He may leave you and never return