The Wreck of the Old 97 Prepared by Mike Martin

Well, they gave him his orders in Monroe, Virginia,
Sayin', "Boy, you're way behind.
This ain’t 38, this is Old 97
You must put her into Spencer on time."

Well, the engineer he 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."

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, you ladies, you must all now take a warning,
From this story a lesson learn:
Never speak harsh words to your true lovin' husband,
He may leave you and never return.

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