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)