Box Car Willie Wreck Of The Old 97 Lyrics

Wreck Of The Old 97 Lyrics

Well they gave him his orders in Munroe, Virginia

Saying, "Steve, you're a way behind time

This is not 38 but it's old 97

You must put her into Spencer on time"



Well, he turned to the black greasy fireman and said

"Just shovel on a little more coal

And when we cross that wide open mountain

You can watch old 97 roll"



It's a long, long way from Danville to Lynchburg

Got a line near the three mile grade

It was on that grade that he lost his air breaks

You could see what a jump that he made



He was going down the grade doing 90 miles an hour

When the whistle broke into a scream

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

And scalded to death by the steam



Well, a telegram came to Washington station

And this is what it read

"Oh that brave engineer that runs old 97

Well, he's lying in old Danville dead"



Now come on you ladies and from me take warning

And from this day on, you must learn

Never speak harsh words to your kind hearted husband

He may leave you and never return