They handed him his orders in Monroe Virgina
They said, "Steve, You're way behind time
And it's not 48, it's old 97
Just put her into Danville on time"

Well he climbed into the cab
And turned to his fireman
said, "Shovel in a little more coal
Cause when we reach that big White Mountain
Jusy watch ole 97 roll"

It's a long lonesome road from Monroe to Danville
And it lies on a 3 mile grade
It was on that grade that he lost his air brakes
You should have seen the jump that he made

He came rolling down the mountain doing 90 miles an hour
When his whistle broke into a scream
He was found in the wreck with his hand still on the throttle
He was scaulded to death my the steam.

Now all you railroad ladies take warning
>From this time out and learn
Never speak hars words to your true-living husband
He may leave you and never retu