They give him his orders at Monroe, Virginia

Sayin', "Steve you're way behind time

This is not Thirty-Eight, but it's old Ninety-Seven

You must put her in Spencer on time"

Then he looked 'round and said to his black greasy fireman

"Just shovel in a little more coal

And when we cross that white oak mountain

You can watch old Ninety-Seven roll"

It's a mighty rough road from Lynchburg to Danville

In a line on a three mile grade

It was on that grade where he lost his airbrakes

So you see what a jump he made

He was goin' down grade makin' ninety miles an hour

And his whistle broke into a scream

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

And scalded to death by the steam

Now, ladies, you must all take warning

From this time on and learn

Never speak harsh words to your true lovin' husband

He may leave you and never return