Wreck of the Old 97

This song is based on an actual event.
The wreck of Fast Mail No. 97 occurred in Danville, Va. on September 27, 1903.
Eleven men died: five railroad workers (including Joseph Andrew "Steve" Broady) and six postal workers.

(A) Well, they gave him his orders
at (D) Monroe Virginia saying
(A) "Steve, you're way behind (E7) time...
Well, this (A) ain't 38, it's (D) old 97
got to (A) put her into (E7) Danville on (A) time"

Cause it's a mighty rough road
from (D) Lynchburg to Danville
on a (A) line on a three mile (E7) grade
It was (A) down that line
that he (D) lost his airbrakes
You can (A) see what a (E7) jump he (A) made

Well, Steve Broady said
to his (D) black greasy fireman
"Just (A) shovel on a lttle more (E7) coal
and (A) when we reach
them (D) wide old mountains
just (A) watch old (E7) ninety seven (A) roll

Cause it's a mighty rough road
from (D) Lynchburg to Danville
on a (A) line on a three mile (E7) grade
It was (A) down that line
that he (D) lost his airbrakes
You can (A) see what a (E7) jump he (A) made

He was coming down the line
making (D) ninety miles an hour
when his (A) whistle broke into a (E7) scream
Well, they (A) found him in the wreck
with his (D) hand on the throttle
He'd been (A) scalded to (E7) death by the (A) steam

Cause it's a mighty rough road
from (D) Lynchburg to Danville
on a (A) line on a three mile (E7) grade
It was (A) down that line
that he (D) lost his airbrakes
You can (A) see what a (E7) jump he (A) made

So come on now
(D) all ye ladies
from (A) this time on now (E7) learn
Never (A) speak harsh words
to your (D) true loving husband
He may (A) leave you and (E7) never (A) return

Cause it's a mighty rough road
from (D) Lynchburg to Danville
on a (A) line on a three mile (E7) grade
It was (A) down that line
that he (D) lost his airbrakes
You can (A) see what a (E7) jump he (A) made

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Lew
• Dite
• songscreen
• singable
• songs
• singalong

[RandomFunBounce]

I'm from Danville. Its a sad story. I cry almost every time I hear it...

[whatihave2do]

that was a different way to do this song. I first heard the Boxcar Willie version (one of the best I think) and didn't know it was a true store until I looked it up. Interested me since I live in Roanoke Va.