The Wreck of the Old Ninety-Seven

[Intro]
*train whistle*

[Verse 1]
They gave him his orders at Monroe, Virginia
Sayin', "Pete, you're way behind time
This is not 38, but it's Old 97
You must put her in the center on time"

[Verse 2]
He turned, and he said to his black, greasy fireman
"Shovel on a little more coal
And when we reach that White Oak Mountain
You can watch Old 97 roll"

[Chorus]
*humming*

[Verse 3]
It's a mighty rough road from Lynchburg to Danville
With the line on a three-mile grade
It was on this grade that he lost his air brakes
And you see what a jump he made

[Verse 4]
He was goin' downgrade makin' 90 miles an hour
When the whistle broke into a scream *train whistle*
He was found in the wreck with his hand on the throttle
A-scalded to death by the steam

[Chorus]
*humming*

[Verse 5]
Now ladies, you must take warnin'
From this time on and learn
Never speak harsh words to your true-lovin' husband
He may leave you and never return

[Outro]
*engine steam*