G
They gave him his orders,
C
At Monroe, Virginia,
GD
Sayin' Pete you're way behind time.
GC
This is not '38, but its old '97,
GDG
You must put her into Spencer on time.
Verse 2G
He looked round an' said,
C
To his black, greasy fireman,
GD
Jus' shove on in a lil' more coal.
GC
And when we cross that wide old mountain,
GDG
You can watch old '97 roll.
Verse 3G
Its a mighty rough road,
C
From Lynchburg to Danville,
GD
In a line on a three mile grade.
G
It was on that grade,
C
That he lost his airbrake,
GDG
And you see what a jump he made.
Verse 4G
He was goin' down the grade,
C
Makin' ninety miles an hour,
GD
When his whistle broke into a scream.
G
He was found in the wreck,
C
With his hand on the throttle,
GDG
And a scalded to death by the steam.
Verse 5
GC
Now ladies you must take warnin',
GD
From this time now and on.
G
Never speak harsh words,
C
To your true love and husband,
GDG
He may leave you and never return.
This arrangement for the song is the author's own work and represents their interpretation of the song. You may only use this for private study, scholarship, or research.