Silverstein's passion for music was clear early on as he studied for a while at the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. As a songwriter, Silverstein kept a low profile but cast a long shadow. He tended to shun publicity and even photographers. Nonetheless, his musical output included many songs which were hits for other artists. Most notably, he wrote the music and lyrics for "A Boy Named Sue" that was performed by Johnny Cash (for which he won a Grammy in 1970); "One's on the Way" (which was a hit for Loretta Lynn), and "The Unicorn Song" which, despite having nothing to do with Ireland nor Irish culture, became the signature piece for The Irish Rovers in 1968 and is popular in pubs all over the world to this day. He wrote the lyrics and music for most of the Dr. Hook songs, including "Cover of the Rolling Stone", "Freakin' at the Freakers' Ball", "Sylvia's Mother", and the cautionary song about VD, "Don't Give a Dose to the One You Love Most". He also wrote many of the songs performed by Bobby Bare, including "Marie Laveau", "Rosalie's Good Eats Cafe", "The Mermaid", "The Winner", and "Tequila Sheila". The song "The Ballad of Lucy Jordan",] recorded in 1979 by Marianne Faithfull and later featured in the films Montenegro and Thelma & Louise, was also by Silverstein.
Don
Shel Silverstein Lyrics
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He was a greasy motor trucker
And he drove them big ol' diesels to L.A.
Drivin' outta Mobile
His darlin' wife, Camille
She would kiss him in his driveway
And she'd say
She'd say:
(Camille) Don't go to sleep on the road, baby
(I won't)
Don't go to sleep on the road
(Lord, protect me)
Take what it takes (uh huh) to keep you awake
(I will)
But don't go to sleep on the road.
Then Camille started singin' country music for a friend
Well you know a girl can't stay too long alone.
First for friends
And then in bars
Then she soon became a star
And sometimes he'd hear her record
And he'd groan...
Singin':
(Camille) Don't go to sleep on the road, baby
(Shel) (Tears in his eyes)
Don't go to sleep on the road
Take what it takes (uh huh) to keep you awake
(Shel) (I will)
But don't go to sleep on the road.
Yes... and her records started movin' up the charts
And became number one
And she got.. she got entertainer of the year
And she got her hair done
And got a boob job
And got her an affair with the bass player.
And he got hemorrhoids.
He was drivin' hell for leather
Through the California weather
When that California sky began to rain
And that hill was wet and steep
Oh, he shore could use some sleep
But his darlin's words kept ringin' through his brain.
(Camille singing chorus in the background while Shel sings:)
That eastbound rig was hummin'
Lord, he never seen it comin'
And he woke up starin' at the sky
In the wreck and in the rain
With the radio still playin'
And the last words that he heard before he died
Was Camille
Still singin':
(Camille) Don't go to sleep on the road, baby
(Shel) (What a way to die)
(Camille) Don't go to sleep on the road
(Camille and Shel) Take what it takes to keep you awake
Oh, but don't go to sleep on the road.
And he went to sleep on the rooooooad.
The song "Don't Go to Sleep on the Road" by Shel Silverstein is a tragic tale of a trucker named John Henry Rucker who tragically died in a car crash due to fatigue. Camille, his loving wife, is worried about his safety and reminds him to stay awake on the road. She even starts singing country music for her friend while John is away. However, Camille's music career takes off as she becomes a famous entertainer, with her husband left behind. John continued to travel and work until he dies in a car accident. The last words he heard were his wife Camille's song lyrics, "Don't go to sleep on the road."
The song captures the harsh reality of trucking life and how it can impact the relationships and lives of truckers and their families. The ending is particularly wrenching, with the final words from both John and Camille reminding listeners of the importance of staying safe on the road at all times. Despite being a sad and tragic song, "Don't Go to Sleep on the Road" has gained popularity and remains an iconic country music ballad today.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, big John Henry Rucker
Introducing the singer of the song, a truck driver named John Henry Rucker
He was a greasy motor trucker
Describing John Henry Rucker's profession as a greasy motor truck driver
And he drove them big ol' diesels to L.A.
Elaborating that John Henry Rucker drove his motor trucks to Los Angeles
Drivin' outta Mobile
Establishing that John Henry Rucker set out from Mobile, his initial location
His darlin' wife, Camille
Mentioning John Henry Rucker's wife Camille, for whom the song is named after
She would kiss him in his driveway
Depicting Camille bidding her husband goodbye with a kiss in their driveway
And she'd say
Introducing a dialogue followed by Camille's advice to her husband
Don't go to sleep on the road, baby
Camille's sincere warning to John Henry Rucker not to fall asleep while driving
(I won't)
John Henry Rucker's vow that he won't sleep on the road
Don't go to sleep on the road
Reiterating Camille's warning and emphasizing its importance
(Lord, protect me)
John Henry Rucker's plea for divine intervention to protect him on the road
Take what it takes (uh huh) to keep you awake
Camille's instruction to John Henry Rucker to take whatever necessary to stay awake while driving
(I will)
John Henry Rucker's affirmation that he will take measures to stay awake on the road
But don't go to sleep on the road.
Concluding Camille's warning and advice to John Henry Rucker
Then Camille started singin' country music for a friend
Shifting the focus to Camille, mentioning her starting to sing country music for a friend
Well you know a girl can't stay too long alone.
Elaborating that Camille started singing to avoid feeling lonely
First for friends
Stating that Camille initially performed for her friends
And then in bars
Depicting that Camille began to perform at bars
Then she soon became a star
Noting Camille's quick rise to stardom
And sometimes he'd hear her record
Describing John Henry Rucker's exposure to Camille's records
And he'd groan...
Implying that John Henry Rucker was not pleased with Camille's success
Singin':
Introducing the chorus of the song, which Camille sings repeatedly
That eastbound rig was hummin'
Describing an eastbound truck that was making a humming noise
Lord, he never seen it comin'
Describing how John Henry Rucker did not notice the incoming truck
And he woke up starin' at the sky
Depicting John Henry Rucker awakening to the sky after the accident
In the wreck and in the rain
Emphasizing the dangerous state of the accident scene
With the radio still playin'
Noting that the radio, which was still on, was the last thing heard by John Henry Rucker
And the last words that he heard before he died
Revealing John Henry Rucker's final moments and what he heard
Was Camille
Noting that John Henry Rucker's wife was the last thing he heard in the song
Still singin':
Introducing Camille once again, still singing the chorus of the song
Oh, but don't go to sleep on the road.
Echoing Camille's warning and advice, which ultimately came too late for John Henry Rucker
And he went to sleep on the rooooooad.
Concluding the song with a reminder of the tragic outcome of disregarding Camille's advice
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: SHEL SILVERSTEIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind