D G
They give him his orders at Monroe Virginia
D A
Saying Steve you re way behind time
D G
This is not 38 but this is Old 97
D A D
Put her in Spencer on time
G
Then he looked around and said to his black greasy fireman
D A
Just shovel on a little more coal
D G
And when we cross that White Oak Mountain
D A D
You can watch Old 97 roll
G
And when a telegram comes from Washington Station
D A
And this is how it read
D G
Oh that brave engineers that run old 97
D A D
Is lying in old Danville dead
G
He was going down grade making 90 miles an hour
D A
When his whistle broke into a scream
D G
He was found in the wreck with his hand on the throttle
D A D
And was scalded to death by the steam
G
Now ladies you must take warning
D A
From this time on and learn
D G
Never speak harsh words to your true loving husband
D A D
He may leave you and never return
