Water In The Fuel
Kasey Chambers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I just got off the turnpike avoiding the Ohio state inspection.
Johnny law followed me up the road, but then he turned off and he let me go.
I guess this old truck ain't worth shutting down.
And your voice last night on the telephone said you wouldn't be there when I got home
So, when I get to Cleveland I'm going to head back south.
Chorus:
My brakes are gone, I've got a left front tire throwing thread.
By tomorrow morning, I could be dead. Baby, maybe you were right all along.
You said you couldn't stay with a man who was always going away,
And all you wanted to do was settle down.
You wanted to buy that little trailer, out on the edge with the money you saved.
It had a carport, a colour TV and no place to turn around.
(Chorus)
Remember that winter when the lake froze over,
We drove out there after we'd unloaded,
We revved that truck and we spun it 'round and 'round.
Then we left it idling out on that ice,
Crawled in the sleeper and I held you tight.
Baby, I'm sure on thin ice now.
(Chorus)
The song "Water in the Fuel" by Kasey Chambers is a sad song about a man who is traveling down Route 67 on his way back home to his partner. He has just passed through Ohio and avoided an inspection by Johnny Law. The man mentions that his truck is too old to shut down and the fuel is mixed with water. His brakes are going out, and his left front tire is blown out, which is a recipe for disaster. His partner had told him the night before that she would not be at home when he comes back. He decides that when he reaches Cleveland, he will turn around and drive back down south.
The chorus talks about the problems he is having with his truck. The light keeps coming on because he has water in the fuel, his brakes are gone and his tires are blowing out, which could lead to a fatal accident. The man mentions that his partner was right all along about him living his life on the road. She wanted to settle down and buy a little trailer with the money they saved, which had a carport, a TV and no place to turn around.
The song is a reflection of the difficulties that come with the trucking industry, especially outdated trucks. The man's partner wanted him to settle down and stop traveling, but he couldn't give up his job. The song talks about the challenges and dangers of the trucking industry and how it can affect both personal and professional relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, darling, I'm a coming down old route number sixty-seven.
I am driving on Route 67 and heading towards my destination.
I just got off the turnpike avoiding the Ohio state inspection.
I avoided being inspected by authorities at Ohio's turnpike.
Johnny law followed me up the road, but then he turned off and he let me go.
I was followed by police, but they didn't stop me in the end.
I guess this old truck ain't worth shutting down.
The truck is old and not worth repairing if it breaks down.
And your voice last night on the telephone said you wouldn't be there when I got home.
You told me on the phone that you won't be home when I return.
So, when I get to Cleveland I'm going to head back south.
I am contemplating going back home when I reach Cleveland.
The light keeps coming on, I've got water in the fuel.
The fuel in my truck has water in it, which is causing the warning light to come on.
My brakes are gone, I've got a left front tire throwing thread.
My brakes are not working properly, and the tire on the front left side of the truck is losing its treads.
By tomorrow morning, I could be dead. Baby, maybe you were right all along.
If I don't fix my truck issues, it could lead to an accident and cause my death, and perhaps you were right in questioning my constant traveling.
You said you couldn't stay with a man who was always going away,
You told me that you couldn't be with someone who is always traveling.
And all you wanted to do was settle down.
You simply wanted to have a stable home.
You wanted to buy that little trailer, out on the edge with the money you saved.
You wanted to buy a small trailer with your savings.
It had a carport, a colour TV and no place to turn around.
The trailer had a carport, a TV and was in a location where it's difficult to turn around.
Remember that winter when the lake froze over,
Remember that winter when the lake froze over,
We drove out there after we'd unloaded,
After completing a task, we drove out to the lake.
We revved that truck and we spun it 'round and 'round.
We had fun spinning the truck around on the frozen lake.
Then we left it idling out on that ice,
We left the truck running on the ice.
Crawled in the sleeper and I held you tight.
We went to bed in the truck's sleeping area while holding each other.
Baby, I'm sure on thin ice now.
I am in a precarious or risky situation now.
Contributed by Charlie T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Leo Stamm
Great job Kasey,I've been driving truck for 28 years,that song really hits close to my heart.thanks Kasey.They call me COLORADO ON the road when there not mad at me.Have a good one,ADIOS
carterchiasson
I absolutely love your Fred covers, KC.
Anna Gray
Her voice is incredible beautiful
Scott Coates
Anna Gray. Yes
J Cz
This is her best, the first time I heard this I feel in love with Kasey. I know she's a great writer, but she makes this hers.
lola caine
only recently discovered kasey chambers - but she's truly brilliant. love her
Steve Guidroz
Wow, Kasey doing one of my favorite Fred Eaglesmith's song! Ultra-Cool
Evan Balgord AntihateDotCa
Really love this cover.
Olsonomics
Great version of a great song.
Mike Gouthro
Great job. This is a Fred Eaglesmith tune. She OWNED Freight Train by him (rights sold to A. Jackson). Eaglesmith is the next Hank Williams. He's got a hundred more that Kasey would likely ace as well.