2B. The Wreck of Old 97
[In 1924 Vernon Dalhart recorded "Wreck of the Old 97" backed with "Prisoner's Song." Whitter had recorded and copyrighted (through Peer) 'Wreck" first. Dalhart's recording sold over a million copies in the next year or so- making it the biggest early country record at that time. I'm including the MP3 Robert Gorden recorded in 1925 of "Old 97" by Charles Noell, one of the 'original' authors, and the two main influential 'country' recordings.
Click to Listen: "Old 97" by Charles Noell Gordon Collection
Click to play: Wreck on the Southern Old 97- Henry Whitter
Click to Listen: Wreck on the Southern Old 97- Vernon Dalhart 1924
See the article, Robert W. Gordon and the Second Wreck of "Old 97" by Norm Cohen, in my articles section.
R. Matteson 2014]
2B - THE WRECK OF THE OLD 97
(The Wreck of tho Old Southern Ninety-Seven)
Communicated by Miss Jessie McCue, Hookersvllle, Nicholas County, January 5, 1925. Obtained from her sister, Miss Colia Maore. Music noted by Miss Lydla I. Hlnkel. Tune as sung by Vernon Dalhart.
They gave him orders in Monroe, Virginia,
Saying, "Pete, you're way behind time;
This is not 58, but it's old 97,
You must put her in Center on time."
He turned to his black, greasy fireman,
Saying, "Shovel in a little more coal,
And when we top that wide, old mountain,
You can watch old 97 roll."
It's a mighty rough road from Lynchburg to Danvel,
And a llne on a three mile grade;
rt u,"s on this grade that ho lost his average,
And you see what a jump ho made.
He was going dorm grade making ninety miles an hour,
When his whistle broke into a scream;
He was found in the wreck with his hand on the throttle,
And scalded to death by the steam.
Now, ladies, you must all take warning,
From this time now and on,
Never speak harsh words to your true love or husband,
He may leave you and never return.
In 2B 'but' in regular text is not present in music text (Herzog).
Laws G2. See NC II 512.