Well, they gave him his orders at Monroe, Virginia, Sayin', "Steve, you're way behind time

This is not 38, but it's Old 97, You must put her in Spencer on time."

Well the engineer 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 line on a three-mile grade

It was on that grade that he lost his airbrakes, You 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 ladies, you must take a warning, From this time on and learn

Never speak harsh words to your true love or husband, He may leave you and never return.