Well, they gave him his orders in Monroe, Virginan,

Said:"Steve, you're way behind time,

"This is not 38, this is Ol'97,

"Put her into Spencer on time."

Then he turned around and said to his black, greasy fireman,

"Shovel on a little more coal.

And when we reach that White Oak mountain,

"Watch Ol'97 roll."

And then a telegran come from Washington station,

This is what it read:

"Oh that brave engineer that run '97,

"Is lyin' in Danville dead."

"Cos he was going down a grade making 90 miles an hour,

The whistle broke into a scream.

He was found in the wreck with his hand on the throttle,

Scalded to death by steam."

One more time!

Oh, now all you ladies better take a warning,

From this time on and learn.

Never speak harsh to your true-lovin' husband,

He may leave you and never return.

Poor Boy.