wreck of the old '97

Singer:johnny cash

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

well he turned around and said to his big greasy fireman

hey shovel on a little more coal

and when we cross that white ol' mountain

watch ol' 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 brake

you see what a jump we 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

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 lover husband

he may leave you and never return

Lyric Context: wreck of the old '97 - johnny cash