Wreck Of The Old 97
Flatt And Scruggs · Other Songs - Flatt And Scruggs
Saying Steve you're way behind time
This is not 38 but it's old 97 you must put her into Spencer on time
Well he turned around and said to his fireman shovel in a little more coal
And when we cross this big White Mountain we'll watch old 97 roll
[ dobro ]It's a mighty rough road from Lynchburg to
Danville and a line on a three mile grade
It's on that grade that he lost his airbrakes you see what a jump he made
They were goin' down the grade makin' 90 miles an hour
When his whistle broke into a scream
He was found in the wreck with his hand on the throttle
A scalded to death by the steam
[ fiddle ]Then the telegram come to Washington city and this is how it read
The brave engineer that run old 97 he's a laying in old Danville dead
Now all you ladies we take a warning from this time now and learn
Never speak harsh words to your true loving husband
who may leave you and never return
Wreck Of The Old 97
Flatt and Scruggs' 1947 recording of 'Wreck Of The Old 97' stands as a foundational pillar of bluegrass music, capturing the band's early mastery of the banjo and mandolin. Released during a pivotal era when the duo was establishing their signature sound, the track exemplifies the high-energy, fiddle-driven style that would define their career. The song's narrative of a shipwreck on the Mississippi River provided a compelling vehicle for their intricate instrumental interplay, showcasing the technical virtuosity that attracted national attention. As one of their most recognized works, it helped popularize the genre beyond its regional roots, influencing generations of musicians who followed in their wake.