Wreck Of The Old ’97
Vernon Dalhart * Track #5 On Old Time Songs: Original 1925-1930 Recordings
Download "Wreck Of The Old ’97"
Album Old Time Songs: Original 1925-1930 Recordings
Wreck Of The Old ’97 Lyrics
[Instrumental Intro]
[Verse 1]
They give 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 Spencer on time"
[Verse 2]
He looked 'round an' said
To his black, greasy fireman
"Jus' shove on in a little more coal
And when we cross that wide old mountain
You can watch old '97 roll"
[Instrumental Break]
[Verse 3]
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 air brake
And you see what a jump he made
[Interlude]
*Whistling*
[Verse 4]
He was goin' down grade
Makin' ninety mile an hour
When his whistle broke into a scream *train whistle*
He was found in the wreck
With his hand on the throttle
And a scalded to death with the steam
[Verse 5]
Now ladies you must take warnin'
From this time now and on
Never speak harsh words
To your true love and husband
He may leave you and never return *train whistle*
[Instrumental Outro]
Wreck Of The Old ’97 Q&A
Who wrote Wreck Of The Old ’97's ?
Wreck Of The Old ’97 was written by Henry Clay Work & Henry Whitter.
When did Vernon Dalhart release Wreck Of The Old ’97?
Vernon Dalhart released Wreck Of The Old ’97 on Fri Oct 03 1924.
Does this song have any other names?
Yes, it was released on the Edison label as ‘“The Wreck On The Southern Old 97” in August 1924.