Well They Gave Him His Orders At Monroe, Virginia,
Said: "Steve, You're Way Behind Time,
"This Is Not 38, This Is Ol' 97,
"Put Her Into Spencer On Time."

Then He Turned Around And Said To His Black, Greasy Fireman,
"Shovel On A Little More Coal.
"And When We Cross That White Oak Mountain,
"Watch Ol' '97 Roll."

And Then A Telegram Come From Washington Station,
This Is How It Read:
"Oh That Brave Engineer That Run Ol 97,
"Is Lyin In Old Danville Dead."

'Cos He Was Going Down A Grade Making 90 Miles An Hour,
The Whistle Broke Into A Scream.
He Was Found In The Wreck With His Hand On The Throttle,
Scalded To Death By The Steam.

One More Time!

Oh, Now All You Ladies You'd Better Take A Warning,
From This Time On And Learn.
Never Speak Hard Words To Your True-lovin' Husband.
He May Leave You And Never Return.
Poor Boy.