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Well they gave him his orders at Monroe Virginia |
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Said Steve you're way behind time |
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This is not 38 this is old 97 |
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Put her into Spencer on time |
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Then he turned around and said to his black greasy fireman |
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Shovel on a little more coal |
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And when we cross that White Oak Mountain |
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Watch old 97 roll |
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And then the telegram come to Washington station |
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This is how it read |
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Oh that brave engineer that run old 97 |
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He's a layin' in old Danville dead |
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'Cause he was goin' down the grade makin' 90 miles an hour |
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Whistle broke into a scream |
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He was found in the wreck with his hand on the throttle |
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A scalded to death by the steam |
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So now all you ladies you better take a warnin' |
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From this time on and learn |
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Never speak harsh words to your true lovin' husband |
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He may leave you and never return for more |