Songwriter: Henry Clay Work Charles Noell Fred Lewey Henry Whitter
Producer: John Mellencamp
[Verse 1]
Well, they gave him his orders at Monroe Virginia
Saying, "Steve, you're way behind the times"
This is not 38, this is old 97
So get her into Spencer on time
Well, he turned around and said to his old greasy fireman
"Shovel on a little more coal
When we cross that big, white mountain
You'll be watchin' old 97 start to roll"
[Verse 2]
Well, it's a mighty long road from Lynchburg down to Danville
On a line of three-mile grade
It was on that grade that he lost his airbrakes
Shoulda seen the jump he had to make
They were going down the grade at 90 miles an hour
When the whistle broke into a scream
He was found in the wreck with his hand on the throttle
Scalded to death by the steam
[Verse 3]
Well, a telegram came from Washington city
And this is how the telegram read
That the brave engineer in the old 97
Is layin' out in Danville, and he's dead
[Verse 4]
Now all of you ladies, take heed, and take warning
And try to learn
Never speak harsh words against your lovin' husband
'Cause he may never return
No, he may never return
Well, they gave him his orders at Monroe Virginia
Saying, "Steve, you're way behind the times"
This is not 38, this is old 97
So get her into Spencer on time
Well, he turned around and said to his old greasy fireman
"Shovel on a little more coal
When we cross that big, white mountain
You'll be watchin' old 97 start to roll"
[Verse 2]
Well, it's a mighty long road from Lynchburg down to Danville
On a line of three-mile grade
It was on that grade that he lost his airbrakes
Shoulda seen the jump he had to make
They were going down the grade at 90 miles an hour
When the whistle broke into a scream
He was found in the wreck with his hand on the throttle
Scalded to death by the steam
[Verse 3]
Well, a telegram came from Washington city
And this is how the telegram read
That the brave engineer in the old 97
Is layin' out in Danville, and he's dead
[Verse 4]
Now all of you ladies, take heed, and take warning
And try to learn
Never speak harsh words against your lovin' husband
'Cause he may never return
No, he may never return
more tracks from the album
From the albums
- The Rose & the Briar (2004)
- Other People’s Stuff (2018)
John Mellencamp popular songs
- Jack & Diane
- Pink Houses
- Hurts So Good
- Small Town
- Check It Out
- Authority Song
- Rain on the Scarecrow
- I Need a Lover
- Cherry Bomb
- For the Children
- Farewell Angelina
- R. Gang
- To M.G. (Wherever She May Be)
- Worn Out Nervous Condition
- Yours Forever
- No One Cares About Me
- Forgiveness
- L.U.V.
- This May Not Be the End of the World
- County Fair
- Goodnight
- Young Without Lovers
- Another Sunny Day 12/25
- Serious Business