I'm not sure what key this is done in, but this one here is in the key of G.
G
They gave him his orders,
C
At Monroe, Virginia,
G D
Sayin' Pete you're way behind time.
G C
This is not '38, but its old '97,
G D G
You must put her into Spencer on time.
(Verse 2)
G
He looked round an' said,
C
To his black, greasy fireman,
G D
Jus' shove on in a lil' more coal.
G C
And when we cross that wide old mountain,
G D G
You can watch old '97 roll.
(Verse 3)
G
Its a mighty rough road,
C
From Lynchburg to Danville,
G D
In a line on a three mile grade.
G
It was on that grade,
C
That he lost his airbrake,
G D G
And you see what a jump he made.
(Verse 4)
G
He was goin' down the grade,
C
Makin' ninety miles an hour,
G D
When his whistle broke into a scream.
G
He was found in the wreck,
C
With his hand on the throttle,
G D G
And a scalded to death by the steam.
(Verse 5)
G C
Now ladies you must take warnin',
G D
From this time now and on.
G
Never speak harsh words,
C
To your true love and husband,
G D G
He may leave you and never return.
Hope ya have fun with this timeless standard.
[Thanks to Michael Owens for tabs]