Well they gave him his orders at Monroe Virginia sayin' Steve you're way behind time
|
This is not 38 this is old 97 you must put her into Spencer on time
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Then he turned around and said to his black greasy fireman shovel on a little more coal
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And when we cross that White Oak Mountain watch old 97 roll
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[ guitar ]
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But it's a mighty rough road from Lynchburg to Danville
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With a line on a three mile grade
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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
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He was found in the wreck with his hand on the throttle
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A scalded to death by the steam
|
[ dobro ]
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Then the telegram come to Washington station and this is how it read
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Oh that brave engineer that run old 97 he's a layin' in old Danville dead
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So now all you ladies you better take a warnin' from this time on and learn
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Never speak harsh words to your true lovin' husband
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He may leave you and never return
|
|
-----------------
|
Wreck Of The Old 97
|
| Johnny Cash |
