Hank Snow - The Wreck Of The Old 97 Lyrics

Recorded by Hank Snow

Written by Charles Noell, Fred Lewey and Whitter/Work



[A] They give him his orders at [D] Monroe, Virginia,

Sayin', [A] "Steve, you're way behind [E7] time

This is [A] not 38, but it's Old [D] 97

You must [A] put her in [E7] Spencer on [A] time."



Then he look around and said to his black, greasy fireman

"Just shovel on a little more coal

And when we cross that White Oak 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 airbrakes

Oh, you see what a jump he made.



He was goin' down 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

And was scalded to death by the steam.



Now ladies, you must take warning

From this time on and learn

Never speak harsh words to your true love or husband

He may leave you and never return.