Traditional (Arranged by Ian Egenberger)

At Monroe Virginia they gave him his orders,
saying Steve you're running way behind,
This is not thirty eight, its old ninety seven,
so put 'er into Danville on time.

The conductor yelled to Steve and his fireman,
don't neglect the whistle nor the bell,
We'll put this ol' train, on time into Danville,
or drop her straight into hell.

The old ninety seven was the fastest mail train,
ever to run the southern line,
Passengers and freight were all bound to wait,
so she could reach her station on time.

Steve Broady said to his faithful old fireman,
just throw on a little more coal, (more coal)
And when I blow for the Henry Street crossing,
you just watch my drivers roll.

Now it's an awful bad road from Lynchburg to Danville,
and from Lima it's a four mile grade,
It was on that grade that his air breaks failed him,
and look what a jump she made.

Flying down the hill at ninety miles an hour,
his whistle began to scream,
He was found in the wreck with his hand on the throttle,
scalded to death by the steam.

The news came flashing all over the wires,
and this is how it read,
The brave engineer who pulls the old ninety seven,
is lying in Danville dead.

Now all you lovers from my song take warning,
your broken hearts may someday learn
Not to speak harsh words of a faithful lover,
who may leave you and never return