The Wreck of the Old '97 - Johhny Cash
Well they gave him his orders at Monroe Virginia
Said Steve you're way behind time
This is not 38 this is Old '97
Put her into Spencer on time
Then he turned around and said to his black
Greasy fireman
Shovel on a little more coal
And when we cross that White Oak mountain
Watch Old '97 roll
But it's a mighty rough road from Lynchburg to Danville
With a line on a three mile grade
It was on that grade
That he lost his air brakes see what a jump he made
He was goin' down the grade makin' 90 miles an hour his whistle broke into a scream
He was found in the wreck with his hand on the throttle
A scalded to death by the steam
Oh now all you ladies you'd better take a warning
From this time on and learn
Never speak hard words to your true-lovin' husband
He may leave you and never return
