| G | C | |
| They | gave him his orders at | Monroe Vaginia |
| G | D | |
| sayin' | Steve your way behind the | time |
| G | C | |
| this is | not thirty eight this is | old 97 |
| G | D | G | |
| pull her into | Spencer on | time. |
| G | C | |
| He | turned and he said to his | black greasy fireman |
| G | D | |
| let's | shovel on a little more | coal |
| G | C | |
| and | when we cross that | wide oak mountain |
| G | D | G | |
| just | watch old ninety | seven | roll. |
| G | C | |
| Was a | mighty rough road from | Lenburg to Danvill |
| G | D | |
| on a c | limb with a three mile | grade |
| G | C | |
| it was o | n that grade that he | lost his air brakes |
| G | D | G | |
| see what a | jump he | made. |
| G | C | |
| He was | comin' down the grade makin' | ninety miles an hour |
| G | D | |
| his | whistle broke into a | scream |
| G | C | |
| he was | found in the wreck with his | hand on the throttle |
| G | D | G | |
| scolded to | death by the | steam |
| G | C | |
| Well | all you ladies had | better take warnin' |
| G | D | |
| from | this time on and | learn |
| G | C | |
| never | speak harsh words to your | true love or husband |
| G | D | G | |
| he may l | eave you and | never re | turn |