G                           C
They give him his orders at Monroe Virginia

       G                       D7
Saying Steve you're way behind time

        G                  C
This is not 38 but this is Old 97

G          D7         G
Put her in Spencer on time


 
                                      C
Then he looked around and said to his black greasy fireman

     G                       D7
Just shovel on a little more coal

    G                  C
And when we cross that White Oak Mountain

G       D7           G
You can watch Old 97 roll


 
                               C
And when a telegram comes from Washington Station

    G              D7
And this is how it read

        G                    C
Oh that brave engineers that run old 97

G               D7       G
Is lying in old Danville dead


 
                               C
He was going down grade making 90 miles an hour

     G                        D7
When his whistle broke into a scream

       G                           C
He was found in the wreck with his hand on the throttle

    G              D7           G
And was scalded to death by the steam


 
                    C
Now ladies you must take warning

     G                D7
From this time on and learn

      G                         C
Never speak harsh words to your true loving husband

G                D7        G
He may leave you and never return