From: Tufts, Folk Songs from Appalachia ( 1930)
WRECK OF 97
They gave him his orders at Monroe, Virginia,
Saying, " Steve, you are away behind time,
And it’s not 38, but it's old 97,
You must put her in Spencer on time”.
It’s a mighty rough road from Lynchburg to Danville
And it’s built on a three mile grade.
It was on this grade that he lost his average,
And you see what a jump he made.
He turned around to his black greasy fireman
Saying, “ Shovel in a little more coal,
And as we cross that White Oak Mountain
You can watch old 97 roll.”
He was going down grade making ninety 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.
Come all you maidens and take warning
From this time now and on
Never speak harsh words to your true loving husbands,
They may leave you and never return.
