The Wreck of the Old 97 
there were 97 airplanes warming up on the apron
far as the eye could see
now, the first 96 were recent construction
but the last was a 51-D
then, a 2nd Lieutenant wandered into operations
asked for a ship to fly
they said "young man, we are very short of airplanes
but we'll get you a 'something' by & by"
"now, the first 46 are reserved for the Majors
the Captains have the next 49
there's only one other ship on the end of the apron"
said the Shavetail, "& that one is mine"
so he flew over Tajon & the Taju airstrip
when the ceiling began to fall
the clouds closed down on the tops of the mountains
he couldn't see the ground at all
he flew through the rain, he flew through the snowstorm
when the light began to fail
then he spied a railroad goin' in his direction
& he said "better get there by rail"
he flew down the valley & he dodged through the canyon
keeping that train in his sight
'til the rails disappeared in a hole in the mountain
that was the end of his flight
it was Old 97 with her nose in the mountain
her wheels set akimbo on the track
yes, her throttle was bent in forward position
but the engine was facing straight back
oh, ladies, ladies, take fair warning
from this time, now on
never speak harsh words to your high-flying pilot
he may leave you & never return
- Oscar Brand
-
The Wild Blue Yonder
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