Wreck of the Old 97
Tragedy on the Rails: Old 97's Heartbreaking Journey
Lyrics
They give him his orders at Monroe, Virginia
Receiving instructions in Monroe, Virginia
Sayin', "Steve, you're way behind time
Being informed of being behind schedule
This is not 38, but it's Old 97
Not the train number 38, but Old 97
You must put her in Spencer on time"
Directed to ensure timely arrival in Spencer
Then he look around and said to his black, greasy fireman
Addressing the black, greasy fireman
"Just shovel on a little more coal
Instructing to add more coal to the fire
And when we cross that White Oak Mountain
Anticipating the crossing of White Oak Mountain
You can watch Old 97 roll"
Encouraging to witness the smooth progress of Old 97
It's a mighty rough road from Lynchburg to Danville
Describing the challenging route from Lynchburg to Danville
In a line on a three-mile grade
Referring to a difficult three-mile grade
It was on that grade that he lost his airbrakes
Noting the loss of airbrakes on the grade
Oh, you see what a jump he made
Highlighting the significant jump or descent
He was goin' down grade making 90 miles an hour
Speeding downhill at 90 miles per hour
When his whistle broke into a scream
Describing the whistle turning into a scream
He was found in the wreck with his hand on the throttle
Discovering the engineer in the wreck with hand on throttle
And was scalded to death by the steam
Death by scalding from steam
Now ladies, you must take warning
Issuing a warning to ladies based on the tragedy
From this time on and learn
Advising against speaking harsh words to loved ones
Never speak harsh words to your true love or husband
Emphasizing the potential consequence of a loved one leaving
He may leave you and never return
Suggesting that a departure may be permanent
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