Digital Tradition Mirror

Wreck of the Old 97 (USAF)

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Pennywhistle notation and Dulcimer tab for this song is also available

Wreck of the Old 97 (USAF)

There were 97 airplanes warming up on the apron
Not enough room you could see
Now the first ninety-six were of recent construction
But the last one was a Fifty-one D.

She was old 97 and she had a fine record
But she hadn't been flown that year
And she creaked and groaned when they started her engine
For she knew that her time was near.

A Seeond Lieutenant wandered into Operations
And he asked for a ship or two
And they said, "Young man, we are very short of airplanes
But we'll see what we can do.

"Now the first forty-seven are reserved for majors
And the Captains have the next forty-nine
But there's one more ship on the end of the apron
The last ship upon the line."

He was headed for Nadzab and from there to Guzab
And he had to make that flight
So he said, "O.K., if you'll give me a clearance
I will get there sometime tonight."

He flew through rain and he flew through a snowstorm
Tlll the light began to fail
When he found a railroad going his direction
And he said' "I'll get there by rail."

He flew down a valley and he dodged through the mountains
And he kept that road in sight
Till the rails disappeared through a tunnel in the mountains
And he ended his last long flight.

There was old 97 with her nose in the mountain
And her wheels upon the track
And her throttle was bent in the forward position
But the engine was facing back.

Now ladies please listen and head my warning
From this time ever on,
Never speak harsh words to your flyboy husband,
He may leave you and never return.

From There I Was, Flat on my Back, Bob Stevens.
RG

Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!