They give him his orders at Monroe Virginia
Saying Steve you're way behind time
This is not 38 but this is Old 97
Put her in Spencer on time
Then he looked around and said to his black greasy fireman
Just shovel on a little more coal
And when we cross that White Oak Mountain
You can watch Old 97 roll
And when a telegram comes from Washington Station
And this is how it read
Oh that brave engineers that run old 97
Is lying in old Danville dead
He was going down grade making 90 miles an hour
When his whistle broke into a scream
He was found in the wreck with his hand on the throttle
And was scalded to death by the steam
Now ladies you must take warning
From this time on and learn
Never speak harsh words to your true loving husband
He may leave you and never return