Hank Williams III：Meaning of Wreck Of The Old '97 Songmeaning

The song "Wreck of the Old '97" by Hank Williams III tells the story of a real-life train wreck in 1903 in which engineer Joseph A. Broady was killed. The Old '97 was a fast mail train that traveled from Washington D.C. to Atlanta, Georgia. In the song, the engineer is given a warning that he is behind schedule and needs to make up time. He pushes the train to speeds of up to 90 miles an hour and ends up crashing and losing his life. The lyrics of the song also touch on the theme of relationships and the consequences of speaking harsh words to a loved one. The verse warns women to not speak harshly to their husbands or risk losing them forever. Overall, the song is a tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of those who risked their lives to keep the trains running in America's early days of transportation.