The Wreck of the Old ’97
Johnny Cash * Track #10 On Johnny Cash With His Hot and Blue Guitar
Download "The Wreck of the Old ’97"
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The Wreck of the Old ’97 by Johnny Cash
Release Date
Performed by
Johnny CashProduced by
Sam Phillips (Producer)Writed by
Henry Clay Work & Henry WhitterAbout
The song is about a real train wreck in 1903 when engineer Joseph (“Steve”) Broady was running the 97 line at high speed to stay on schedule between Monroe and Spencer, Virginia. The 97 ran “fast mail” and the train had a reputation for never being late.
– The wreck of the Old 97, near Danville, VA
The Wreck of the Old ’97 Lyrics
They gave him his orders at Monroe Virginia
Saying Steve you're way behind time
This is not 38 this is old 97
You must put her into Spencer on time
He turned around and said to his black greasy fireman
"Shovel on a little more coal
And when we cross that White Old Mountain
Watch old 97 roll"
And then a telegram came to Washington station
This is how it read:
It said, "That brave engineer that has run old 97
Is lying down in Danville, dead"
He was going down the grade making 90 miles an hour
His whistle broke into a scream
He was found in the wreck with his hand on the throttle
Scalded to death by the steam
So now all you pretty ladies you better take a warning
From this time on and learn
Don't you speak hard words to your true lover husband
He may leave you and never return
The Wreck of the Old ’97 Q&A
Who wrote The Wreck of the Old ’97's ?
The Wreck of the Old ’97 was written by Henry Clay Work & Henry Whitter.
Who produced The Wreck of the Old ’97's ?
The Wreck of the Old ’97 was produced by Sam Phillips (Producer).
When did Johnny Cash release The Wreck of the Old ’97?
Johnny Cash released The Wreck of the Old ’97 on Fri Oct 11 1957.