the legend
Jerry Reed Lyrics
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John Henry just to mention some names
But there's a truck driving legend in the south today
A man called Bandit from Atlanta GA
Every gear jammer knows his name
They swear he got icewater runnin in his veins
A foot like lead and nerves like steel
He left Atlanta back in '63
Haulin him a load up to Tennessee
He hit Monteagle in a driving rain
So hard he couldn't even see the passing lane
Well he started down the grade when he lost the gear
He hit them brakes found he had no air
The Monteagle grade is steep and long
And everbody that seen it thought the Bandit was gone
Well his truck jack-knifed turned completely 'round
He was coming down backwards 'bout the speed of sound
Alot of folks seen him and they all say
He had his head out the window yelling clear the way
Well he got to the bottom safe and sound
Everybody asked Bandit how he made it down
He said folks when the truck picked up too much speed
I just run along beside it and drug my feet
You heard about the legend of Jesse James
John Henry just to mention some names
But there's a truck driving legend in the south today
A man called Bandit from Atlanta GA
Every gear jammer knows his name
They swear he got icewater runnin in his veins
A foot like lead and nerves like steel
He's goin up to glory ridin 18 wheels
Jerry Reed's song The Legend is about a legendary truck driver called Bandit from Atlanta, Georgia. The lyrics start by comparing Bandit’s legendary status to famous American figures like Jesse James and John Henry. But the song then goes on to describe how Bandit earned his reputation as a brave and skilled driver. Truck drivers all over the south know his name and hold him in high regard. Bandit is known for his nerve of steel, his heavy foot on the gas pedal, and his ability to keep his cool under pressure.
The song recounts a specific event in Bandit’s life when he was hauling a load up to Tennessee in 1963. He was driving through a treacherous mountain pass known as the Monteagle grade, which is steep and long. Bandit encountered a driving rain which greatly diminished his visibility. Despite losing a gear and air brakes, he managed to navigate the grade and make it safely to the bottom. He even managed to avoid seriously injuring himself in a jack-knife accident that saw his truck turn completely around.
The song celebrates Bandit as a hero who defies the odds and masters the toughest driving conditions. He is a folk hero among truckers and is considered the epitome of what it means to be a great American truck driver.
Line by Line Meaning
You heard about the legend of Jesse James
The famous outlaw Jesse James is a legend that everyone knows.
John Henry just to mention some names
John Henry, a legendary steel driver, is also a well-known legend.
But there's a truck driving legend in the south today
Despite these other legends, there is a modern-day legend in the South.
A man called Bandit from Atlanta GA
This legend is a truck driver named Bandit from Atlanta, Georgia.
Every gear jammer knows his name
Bandit is known to every other truck driver.
They swear he got icewater runnin in his veins
People say Bandit is as cool-headed as someone with ice water in their veins.
A foot like lead and nerves like steel
Bandit is known for his skill and bravery, as represented by his fast driving and ability to handle difficult situations.
He's gonna go to glory ridin 18 wheels
Bandit will continue to be remembered as a hero of the road.
He left Atlanta back in '63
Bandit started his career in 1963 when he left Atlanta.
Haulin him a load up to Tennessee
He was transporting freight to Tennessee at the time.
He hit Monteagle in a driving rain
While on his trip, he encountered heavy rain near Monteagle, Tennessee.
So hard he couldn't even see the passing lane
The rain made it difficult for him to see the lanes on the road.
Well he started down the grade when he lost the gear
When he started going down a steep hill, he lost control of his gear.
He hit them brakes found he had no air
He tried to brake, but realized that there was no air in his brakes to slow him down.
The Monteagle grade is steep and long
The hill he was driving down, Monteagle grade, is known for being steep and long.
And everbody that seen it thought the Bandit was gone
Everyone who witnessed the situation thought Bandit wasn't going to make it.
Well his truck jack-knifed turned completely 'round
Bandit's truck spun around completely.
He was coming down backwards 'bout the speed of sound
As he went down the hill backwards, he accelerated to a very high speed.
Alot of folks seen him and they all say
Many people witnessed the event and they attest to what happened.
He had his head out the window yelling clear the way
Bandit had to yell out of his window to warn other drivers to make way for his out-of-control truck.
Well he got to the bottom safe and sound
Against all odds, Bandit somehow made it to the bottom of the hill safely.
Everybody asked Bandit how he made it down
After safely making it down the hill, Bandit was asked how he had managed it.
He said folks when the truck picked up too much speed
Bandit explained that when the truck got too fast,
I just run along beside it and drug my feet
he had to use his feet to slow it down, even running beside it at times.
You heard about the legend of Jesse James
The song repeats the reference to the legend of Jesse James.
John Henry just to mention some names
And again brings up John Henry.
But there's a truck driving legend in the south today
The song ends as it began, emphasizing that there is a modern-day hero, specifically a truck driver.
A man called Bandit from Atlanta GA
The song concludes by reiterating Bandit's name and where he's from.
Every gear jammer knows his name
Bandit is as a legend who is known to every other truck driver out there.
They swear he got icewater runnin in his veins
People believe him to be a cool-headed driver.
A foot like lead and nerves like steel
Bandit is known for his driving skills and bravery.
He's goin up to glory ridin 18 wheels
His reputation will continue to be one of a hero of the road.
Contributed by Parker D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Frank Dickinson
Burt Reynolds and Jerry Reed you are so missed! One of the cheesiest but best movies ever made! I still laugh my ass off every time I watch it.
GabaGhoul
dont forget jackie gleason- wouldnt be a movie without him as the villain
Jim Ruebhausen
Frank I just watched it again for probably the I lost count 30 years ago. Lol. Greatest cheese ever!!!
Jo. K.
@GabaGhoul Omg....yes! I think one of my fav Jackie Gleason's lines was when he was mad at his kid....saying something like....'there's no way, no way did you come from my loins...first thing when I get home, is I'm gonna punch your momma in the mouth....(mean sounding....but was funny)! Plus, when he pulled over some teenagers.....somewhere telling them 'what not' to do on his highway. HILARIOUS stuff!
dnasty312
Jackie, Mike, Pat and Hal Needham too
Cromicus99
My dad was a long haul driver when I was a kid growing up. I still get chills every time I hear the rig start in the opening scene. I went on several road trips with my dad and they are some of my most precious memories of him and I together. He even let me drive for the first time when I was 17 and I'll never forget it. We had just dropped a load at the Great Dane trailer factory in Savannah, Georgia. We were standing on the dock after they were done unloading us and he just casually looks over at me and says why dont you go pull the truck out from the dock and park it. I was in shock, but Ill tell you this, as I climbed up into the cab of that Freightliner I felt like the king of the world. I probably only drove a couple hundred feet but did it all by myself and will never forget how proud my dad was. It was the best feeling ever.
Charles Purcell
That's a good story
Cataras
That's great man! 🙂
Rixx Roxxk
I remember my first time behind the wheel also. It’s why I do it today. Good story man. Your dad is a class act.
Captain Larry No sleep Fishing Team
If this doesn’t put a smile on your face, nothing will