Recorded by Hank Snow
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Written by Charles Noell, Fred Lewey and Whitter/Work
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[A] They give him his orders at [D] Monroe, Virginia,
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Sayin', [A] "Steve, you're way behind [E7] time
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This is [A] not 38, but it's Old [D] 97
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You must [A] put her in [E7] Spencer on [A] time."
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Then he look around and said to his black, greasy fireman
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"Just shovel on a little more coal
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And when we cross that White Oak Mountain
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You can watch Old 97 roll."
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It's a mighty rough road from Lynchburg to Danville
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In a line on a three-mile grade
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It was on that grade that he lost his airbrakes
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Oh, you see what a jump he made.
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He was goin' down grade making 90 miles an hour
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When his whistle broke into a scream
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He was found in the wreck with his hand on the throttle
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And was scalded to death by the steam.
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Now ladies, you must take warning
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From this time on and learn
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Never speak harsh words to your true love or husband
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He may leave you and never return.
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The Wreck Of The Old 97
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Hank Snow |