Old 97 and Engineer Broady

Old '97 and Engineer Broady

Throughout the day, lies Old 97, its engine athirst for steam,
For crushed on the rocks sleeps the Lynchburg-Danville train.
Guilt-laden Broady never is free from reliving the horrible dream.
His hand still rides the throttle and through eternity will remain.

For crushed on the rocks sleeps the Lynchburg-Danville train,
Bound for nowhere, her bundles of mail are long since gone.
His hand still rides the throttle and through eternity will remain,
For the engineer’s obliged to haunt the scene from dusk to dawn.

Bound for nowhere, her bundles of mail long since gone,
But from the ghostly train arises a whistle-blowing scream.
For the engineer’s obliged to haunt the scene from dusk to dawn,
As she speeds her way with a heap of coal to fuel his tragic scheme.

But from the ghostly train arises a whistle-blowing scream,
And if the dark is lit by moon, then the engine gleam will shine,
As she speeds her way with a heap of coal to fuel his tragic scheme,
Rushing off to Spencer, for she’s late on the south bound line.

And if the dark is lit by moon, then the engine gleam will shine;
You’ll see the eleven faces, white as bones, as they view the grade,
Rushing off to Spencer for she’s late on the south bound line.
Each trainman knows the end’s in sight and stares full-steam afraid.

You’ll see the eleven faces, white as bones, as they view the grade,
Eying the speed of train, the curve of trestle, the failure of brake.
Each trainman knows the end’s in sight and stares full-steam afraid.
As they stand and rue the method of Death’s callous, final handshake.

Eying the speed of train, the curve of trestle, the failure of brake,
Some curse, some pray, some thank the Lord for all that they became,
As they stand and rue the method of Death’s callous, final handshake.
Yet only Broady bears the blame and the burden for that shame.

Some curse, some pray, some thank the Lord for all that they became,
For everyone knows that ninety miles in a curve is way too fast.
Yet only Broady bears the blame and the burden for that shame,
As all of them watch the approaching crash, their panicked eyes aghast.

For everyone knows that ninety miles in a curve is way too fast.
Frenzied Broady shoots the brakes, in an attempt to lock the wheel.
As all of them watch the approaching crash, their panicked eyes aghast,
The airbrake busts from too much iron and thousands of tons of steel.

Frenzied Broady shoots the brakes, in an attempt to lock the wheel,
But the train then climbs clear off the track, for her speed is much too great.
The airbrake busts from too much iron and thousands of tons of steel,
Seventy-five feet she flies through the air and crashes to her fate.

But the train then climbs clear off the track, for her speed is much too great.
It was just last night, I saw her again as her crew of ghost men rode.
Seventy-five feet she flies through the air and crashes to her fate.
Scalded and burned, Broady sheds his tears and bears his crushing load.

It was just last night, I saw her again as her crew of ghost men rode.
Guilt-laden Broady never is free from reliving the horrible dream.
Scalded and burned, he sheds his tears and bears his crushing load.
As throughout the day, lies Old 97, its engine athirst for steam.