| Well, they gave him his orders at Monroe, Virginia
|
| Said, «Steve you’re way behind time
|
| This is not Thirty-Eight; |
| this is old Ninety-Seven
|
| So put her into Spencer on time.»
|
| Then he turned and said to his black, greasy fireman
|
| «Shovel on a little more coal
|
| And when we cross that White Oak Mountain
|
| Watch old Ninety-Seven roll»
|
| And then the telegram came from Washington station
|
| And this is how it read:
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| «Oh that brave engineer that ran old Ninety-Seven
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| Is lying in old Danville dead»
|
| 'Cause he was going down the grade makin' ninety miles an hour
|
| When the 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 warnin'
|
| From this time on and learn
|
| Never speak harsh words to a true lovin' husband
|
| He may leave you and never return
|
| 'board 'board
|
| Yodel-ay-hee hee hee hee hee hee |