I think 15 verses (see above) is too many to perform; it will bore your audience. Despite what you may think of his corrupting the text, Vernon Dalhart's version is about the right length for a good performance.

Thanks to Rich R's discussion above, I at least transcribed "average" correctly; the first time through, I heard it as "air brakes", because that's what I expected to hear, I suppose. However, I'm not convinced Dalhart sang "Center"; it sure sounds like "Spenter" to me. Maybe it's just a slip of the tongue.

Transcribed by me from the sound file at The Record Lady's All-Time Country Favorites, Real Country Archives Page 13.

WRECK OF THE OLD 97
(As sung by Vernon Dalhart)

They give him his orders at Monroe, Virginia,
Saying, "Pete, you're away behind time.
This is not Thirty-Eight, but it's old Ninety-Seven.
You must put her in Spenter on time."

He looked round, says to his black greasy fireman,
"Just shovel in a little more coal,
And when we cross that White Oak Mountain,
You can watch old Ninety-Seven roll.

It's a mighty rough road from Lynchburg to Danville,
In a line on a three-mile grade.
It was on that grade that he lost his average,
And you'll see what a jump he made.

He was going down grade making ninety mile an hour
When his whistle broke into a scream.
He was found in the wreck with his hand on the throttle
And a-scalded to death with the steam.

Now ladies, you must take warning
From this time now and on.
Never speak harsh words to your true-loving husband.
He may leave you and never return.