Well, He Gave Him His Orders

At Monroe, Virginia,

Sayin', "Steve, You're A-way Behind Time.

This Is Not 38, But She's Old 97

You Must Put Her Into Spencer On Time."



Well, He Turned And He Said

To His Tired, Greasy Fireman

"Shovel On A Little More Coal,

And When We Cross That White Oak Mountain

You Can Watch Old 97 Roll."



It's A Mighty Rough Road

From Lynchburg To Danville

A Line On A Three-mile Grade

It Was On That Grade

That He Lost His Average

You Can See What A Jump He Made



He Was Goin' Down The Grade

Making 90 Miles An Hour

His Whistle Broke Into A Scream

They Found Him In The Wreck

With His Hand On The Throttle

He Was Scalded To Death By The Steam



Now Ladies, You Must All Take A Warning

From This Time Now And Learn

Never Speak Harsh Words To Your True Lovin' Husband

He May Leave You And Never Return.