In the rock (and roll) community, Bill Monroe may be best known via one of Elvis Presley's earliest recordings at Sun Records, that of Monroe's 'Blue Moon of Kentucky'. Patsy Cline also made a highly regarded version of this song.
Lonesome Truck Driver's BLues
Bill Monroe Lyrics
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Nobody knows just how I feel
With the road up ahead and my baby behind
Keep me drivin' with a worried mind
Lonesome Truck Driver Blues
Lonesome Truck Driver Blues
With the road up ahead and my baby behind
Keep me drivin' with a worried mind
If you load too light you can't make a dime
If you load to heavy then you get a fine
Look at 'em lined up down the road
Guess I'd better dump my load
Well it's coffee cakes and pork and beans
Black eyed peas and turnip greens
Turn on my radio one time more
Hear Ernest Tubb a walkin' the floor
Oh the motor's purrin' I'm makin' time
Takin' me back to that baby of mine
She'll be purrin' like a kitten when I walk in the door
The truck driver blues I won't sing anymore
The lyrics of Bill Monroe's "Lonesome Truck Driver's Blues" tell the story of a long haul truck driver who is leaving Pittsburgh with a load of steel. The first verse reveals that the driver is feeling alone and worried while he hits the open road without his lover. The chorus repeats the sentiment with emphasis, making it clear that the driver is singing about his lonesome blues. The second verse introduces the difficulty of being a truck driver, where earning money requires balancing the weight of cargo in the trailer. The driver goes on to sing about the food he eats and the music he listens to as he makes his long journey. However, the song ends on a note of hope, with the driver thinking about being reunited with his lover.
Overall, "Lonesome Truck Driver's Blues" gives an insight into the life of a truck driver on the road. The song describes the inner feelings of the driver as he navigates the highways and longs for the company of his sweetheart. The lyrics also highlight the challenges of truck driving, where the weight distribution of the cargo could make or break a driver's livelihood. But, in the end, the song reminds us that love is worth the hard work and that the driver's perseverance will be rewarded when he returns home.
Line by Line Meaning
I leave Pittsburgh with a load of steel
I start driving with a shipment of steel from Pittsburgh
Nobody knows just how I feel
No one understands how I'm feeling
With the road up ahead and my baby behind
I'm driving on an open road while my loved one stays back home
Keep me drivin' with a worried mind
I'm driving with an anxious mind, worried about my journey and loved one
Lonesome Truck Driver Blues
Title of the song, emphasizing the loneliness of a truck driver's journey
If you load too light you can't make a dime
If you don't have a substantial amount of cargo, you won't earn much money
If you load too heavy then you get a fine
If you exceed the limit in terms of cargo, you'll receive a penalty
Look at 'em lined up down the road
I see a row of other trucks driving ahead
Guess I'd better dump my load
I need to release some of my cargo to avoid exceeding the weight limit
Well it's coffee cakes and pork and beans
I eat simple foods like coffee cakes, pork, and beans during my journey
Black-eyed peas and turnip greens
I also eat black-eyed peas and turnip greens, which is a common dish in the South
Turn on my radio one time more
I turn on my radio to listen to some music again
Hear Ernest Tubb a-walkin' the floor
I hear a song by Ernest Tubb called 'Walking the Floor Over You'
Oh, the motor's purring, I'm making time
The truck is running smoothly, and I'm making good time
Taking me back to that baby of mine
My smooth ride is bringing me closer to my loved one
She'll be purrin' like a kitten when I walk in the door
When I meet my loved one, she'll be very happy to see me
The truck driver blues I won't sing anymore
I won't sing about the loneliness and hardships of being a truck driver after my journey is over
Contributed by Penelope B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.