Johnny cash wreck of the ol' '97 lyrics

Written by Charles W. Noell, Fred J. Lewey and Henry C. Work.

 ( Shapiro Bernstien and Co)

 From "At San Quentin (LIve)",  1969, CBS Records.

 

 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.