The wreck of the old '97   (midi)

 

               C                                   F

1. They gave him his orders at Monroe, Virginia,

                    C                                    G

    sayin', "Steve, you're way behind time.

         C                          F                     C                 G              C

    It's 8:38, and it's the Old '97, gotta put her into Danville on time."

 

                    C                                   F

Well, it's a mighty rough road from Lynchburg down to Danville,

         C                                 G

on a line with a three-mile grade.

             C            C7             F

It was down that line where he lost his air-brakes,

               C               G             C

you can see what a jump he made.

 

                  C                             F

2. Steve Brady he said to his black, greasy fireman,

         C                                G

    "Shovel on a little more coal.

             C                             F

    I'm waitin' to pass them wide-open mountains,

                 C               G    C

    gonna see the Old '97 roll."   + CHORUS

 

              C                                           F

3. He's comin' down that line makin' ninety miles an hour,

              C                              G

    the whistle broke into a scream.

               C                                               F

    They found him in the wreck with his hand upon the throttle,

                        C              G             C

    he'd been scalded to death by steam.  + CHORUS

 

               C                   F

4. Well, come on now, all you ladies,

              C                         G

    from this time on, now learn.

                     C                                              F

    Don't you ever say harsh words to your true-lovin' husband,

             C                     G          C

    he'll leave you and never return.   + CHORUS

 

Instr. = Verse 4

 

                      C                                           F

    Well, he's comin' down that line makin' ninety miles an hour,

                     C                               G

    and the whistle broke into a scream.

               C                                               F

    They found him in the wreck with his hand upon the throttle,

                        C              G             C

    he'd been scalded to death by steam. 

 

+ CHORUS + CHORUS ...

 

    (The Seekers)