The Wreck of the Ol' '97 Songtext
von Johnny Cash

They give 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 and said to his big greasy fireman
Hey, shovel on a little more coal
And when we cross that white oak mountain
Watch old '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 airbrakes
He see what a jump he made

He was going 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 better take a warning
From this time on and learn
Never speak harsh words to your true lovin' husband
He may leave you and never return