Henry Whitter — The Wreck On The Southern Old 97

[Verse 1] They gave him his orders at Monroe, Virginia Sayin' "Steve, you're way behind time It's 8:38, and it's the Old '97 Gotta put her into Danville on time" [Verse 2] Steve Brady he said to his black, greasy fireman "Shovel on a little more coal I'm waitin' to pass them wide-open mountains Gonna see the Old '97 roll" [Chorus] It's a mighty rough road from Lynchburg to Danville On a line with a three-mile grade It was down that line where he lost his air-brakes You can see what a jump he made [Verse 3] He's comin' down that line makin' ninety miles an hour The whistle broke into a scream They found him in the wreck with his hand upon the throttle He'd been scalded to death by steam [Verse 4] Well, come on now, all you ladies From this time on, now learn Don't you ever say harsh words to your true-lovin' husband He'll leave you and never return