Wreck of the Old 97 - Muggsy Spanier

They gave him up his orders

At Monroe, Virginia, saying

«Steve, you’re way behind time!

This is not '38, but it’s

Old '97, you must put her

In Spencer Island time.»

Steve Brody said

To his black, greasy fireman:

«Just shovel on a little more coal!

And when we cross

that wide oak mountain,

just watch Old '97 roll!»

It’s a mighty rough road

From Litsburg to Danville

And Lima’s on a three mile grade

It was on this grade that

He lost his airbrakes

And you’ve seen what a jump he made!

He was going down grade

Making ninety miles an hour

When his whistle

Began to scream

He was found in the wreck

With his hand on the throttle

And was courted to death by steam

So come on, ladies,

You must take warning

From this time on!

And never speak harsh words

To your true-loving husband;

He may leave you and never return!