The Wreck Of The Old 97 Banjo / Mandolin Tab
"The Wreck of the Old 97" is a classic American train wreck ballad that tells the story of a real-life disaster. The song describes the tragic derailment of the Southern Railway’s Fast Mail train No. 97 near Danville, Virginia, on September 27, 1903.
Meaning of "The Wreck of the Old 97"The song is a tragic ballad that recounts the high-speed crash and its deadly consequences:
Meaning of "The Wreck of the Old 97"The song is a tragic ballad that recounts the high-speed crash and its deadly consequences:
- The train was behind schedule, and the engineer, Joseph A. "Steve" Broady, was ordered to make up time.
- Pushing the train to its limits, Broady lost control while coming down a steep grade, causing it to derail at the Stillhouse Trestle.
- The wreck was catastrophic, killing Broady and 10 others onboard.
- Human error and the dangers of speed – The railroad company's pressure on the engineer led to the recklessness that caused the crash.
- Tragic fate – The song warns about the risks of ignoring safety in pursuit of efficiency.
- Dramatic storytelling – The vivid, descriptive lyrics paint a haunting picture of the crash and its aftermath.
- The song became one of the first major country music hits when recorded by Vernon Dalhart in 1924.
- It has been covered by numerous artists, including Johnny Cash, Hank Snow, and Boxcar Willie.
- The melody and structure influenced later folk, country, and bluegrass train songs.
Here are two different versions for the sheet music tab for The Wreck Of The Old Ninety Seven.The song was written by David George.
