(Verse 1)

On a cold frosty morning in the month of September

When the clouds were a hanging so low,

Ninety-seven pulled out of the Washington station

Like an arrow that's shot from a bow.



(Verse 2)

Oh, they handed him orders at Monroe, Virginia,

Saying: "Steve, you're way behind time.

This is not 38, but it's Old 97

You must get her to Spencer on time.



(Verse 3)

So, he looked round the cab at his black greasy fireman,

Saying "Shovel a little more coal,

And when we get across that White Oak Mountain

You can watch Old 97 roll."



(Chorus)

This is not 38, this is Old 97

Old 97's comin' down the line

She is so old, she may never make it

But she's got to get to Spencer on time



(Verse 4)

It's a mighty rough road from Lynchburg to Danville

And the line's on a three mile grade.

It was there on that grade that he lost his air brakes

And you see what a bad, bad jump he made.



(Verse 5)

He was going downhill at ninety miles an hour

When the whistle it broke into a scream

He was found in the wreck with his hand on the throttle

And scalded to death with the steam.



(Verse 6)

Now you ladies take warning - better watch what you say

Never speak harsh words to your man

He might leave you this morning to travel the rails

But he may never return home again



(Chorus)

This is not 38, this is Old 97

Old 97's comin' down the line

She is so old, she may never make it

But she's got to get to Spencer on time

She's got to get to Spencer on time

She's got to get to Spencer on time