Wreck of the Old Ninety Seven - Lonnie Donegan

Well they gave him his orders at Monroe, Virginia

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 cross that White Oak mountain

«Watch Ol' '97 roll.»

And then a telegram come from Washington station

This is how it read:

«Oh that brave engineer that run ol 97

«Is lyin in old 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 the steam

And then a telegram come from Washington station

This is how it read:

«Oh that brave engineer that run ol 97

«Is lyin in old Danville dead.»

Oh, now all you ladies you’d better take a warning

From this time on and learn

Never speak hard words to your true-lovin' husband

He may leave you and never return

Poor Boy