The Wreck Of The Old 97

Johnny Cash

Traditional

Key of G · Chords: I IV V

Verse 1

G                                  C
They give him his orders at Monroe Virginia
       G                       D7
Saying Steve you're way behind time
        G                      C
This is not 38 but this is Old 97
G          D7         G
Put her in Spencer on time

Verse 2

                                                   C
Then he looked around and said to his black greasy fireman
     G                       D7
Just shovel on a little more coal
         G                       C
And when we cross that White Oak Mountain
G       D7           G
You can watch Old 97 roll

Verse 3

                                          C
And when a telegram comes from Washington Station
    G              D7
And this is how it read
        G                            C
Oh that brave engineers that run old 97
G               D7       G
Is lying in old Danville dead

Verse 4

                                           C
He was going down grade making 90 miles an hour
     G                        D7
When his whistle broke into a scream
             G                                 C
He was found in the wreck with his hand on the throttle
    G              D7           G
And was scalded to death by the steam

Verse 5

                         C
Now ladies you must take warning
     G                D7
From this time on and learn
            G                               C
Never speak harsh words to your true loving husband
G                    D7    G
He may leave you and never return