Recorded by Hank Snow 
Written by Charles Noell, Fred Lewey and Whitter/Work 
 
A5                           D5
They give him his orders at Monroe, Virginia, 
        A5                         E5
Sayin', "Steve, you're way behind time 
        A5                    D5
This is not 38, but it's Old 97 
         A5          E5         A5
You must put her in Spencer on time." 
 
Then he look around and said to his black, greasy fireman 
"Just shovel on a little more coal 
And when we cross that White Oak Mountain 
You can watch Old 97 roll." 
 
Fiddle break: 
 
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 airbrakes 
Oh, you see what a jump he made. 
 
Guitar break: 
 
He was goin' down 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 
And was scalded to death by the steam. 
 
Fiddle break: 
 
Now ladies, you must take warning 
>From this time on and learn 
Never speak harsh words to your true love or husband 
He may leave you and never return. 
 
Source: HANK SNOW - THE WRECK OF THE OLD 97 
        1971 RCA CXS 9009(e)