They gave him his orders at Monroe Virginia
Sayin' "Steve you're way behind time
This is not 38 this is old 97
"Put her into Spencer on time"
When he turned around and said to his black greasy fireman
"Hey shovel on a little more coal"
And when we cross that White Oak Mountain watch old 97 roll
It's a mighty rough road from Lynchburg to Danville
In a line on a three mile grade
It was on that grade that he lost his air brakes
He see what a jump he made
He was goin' down the grade makin' 90 miles an hour
His whistle broke into a scream
He was found in the wreck with his hand on the throttle
A scalded to death by the steam
Now all you ladies you better take a warnin'
From this time on and learn
Never speak harsh words to your true lovin' husband
He may leave you and never return