Wreck of Old 97

SOURCE: Bob Pfeffer
AIR: The Ship that Never Returned

C F
Well, they handed him his orders in Monroe, Virginia,
C G7
Sayin', "Steve, you're way behind time.
C F
This is not 38, it is Old 97

C G7 C
You must put her into Spencer on time."

Well, the engineer he said to his black, greasy fireman
"Shovel on a little more coal,
And when we cross that White Oak Mountain
You can watch Old 97 roll."

It's a mighty hard road from Lynchburg to Danville
A road with a three-mile grade
It was on that grade that he lost his airbrake
You can see what a jump she made

He was goin' down the grade making 90 miles an hour
When his whistle broke into a scream
He was found in the wreck with his hand on the throttle
He was scalded to death by the steam

Now listen, all you ladies, you must all take a warning
From this story a lesson learn
Never speak harsh words to your true lovin' husband
He may leave you and never return.

note: Vernon Dahlhart's record of this was probably the first
gold record C&W produced.
see also Charley on the MTA
DT #634
Laws G2
RPf