Highway Patrolman
The Sessions Band/Bruce Springsteen Lyrics

My name is Joe Roberts, I work for the state
Introduction of the singer and his profession as a sergeant.

I'm a sergeant out of Perrineville, barracks number eight
The specific location of the singer's duty as a sergeant is mentioned.

I always done an honest job, as honest as I could
The singer's dedication towards his profession and honesty is highlighted.

I got a brother named Franky, and Franky ain't no good
Introduction of the artist's brother who doesn't have a good reputation.

Now ever since we was young kids, it's been the same come down
The history of the artist and his brother's relationship is discussed and how things have always been the same.

I get a call on the shortwave, Franky's in trouble downtown
The singer receives a call about his brother being in trouble in the city.

Well if it was any other man, I'd put him straight away
The singer is implying that if it was anyone else in the same situation, he wouldn't hesitate to help them.

But when it's your brother sometimes you look the other way
The artist acknowledges that he might not act the same way towards his brother as he would for anyone else in trouble.

Yeah, me and Franky laughin' and drinkin', nothin' feels better than blood on blood
The bond between the artist and his brother is emphasized through shared experiences and feelings.

Takin' turns dancin' with Maria as the band played "Night of the Johnstown Flood"
The artist and his brother are enjoying themselves with friends and family at a party.

I catch him when he's strayin', like any brother would
The singer feels it's his responsibility to keep an eye on his brother and guide him in the right direction.

Man turns his back on his family, well, he just ain't no good
The artist emphasizes the importance of family and the negative impact of abandoning them.

Well, Franky went in the army back in nineteen sixty-five
The singer's brother's history of serving in the army is mentioned.

I got a farm deferment, settled down, took Maria for my wife
The singer's choice of not serving in the army and his current settled life with his wife is highlighted.

But them wheat prices kept on droppin' 'til it was like we were gettin' robbed
The problems faced by the singer and his community due to a decrease in wheat prices are discussed.

Franky came home in sixty-eight and me I took this job
The reunion of the artist and his brother after Franky's army service and how the artist started his job as a sergeant is mentioned.

Yeah, we're laughin' and drinkin', nothin' feels better than blood on blood
The bond between the brothers is shown through their shared experiences.

Takin' turns dancin' with Maria as the band played "Night of the Johnstown Flood"
The continuation of the party mentioned earlier.

I catch him when he's strayin', teach him how to walk that line
The singer's responsibility towards his brother and how he tries to guide him on the right path.

Man turns his back on his family, he ain't no friend of mine
The negative impact of abandoning one's own family and how it breaks relationships is emphasized.

Well, the night was like any other, I got a call 'bout quarter to nine
A normal night for the artist until he gets a call about an unfortunate situation.

There was trouble in a roadhouse out on the Michigan line
The location of the problem that the artist is responding to is stated.

There was a kid lyin' on the floor lookin' bad, bleedin' hard from his head
The severity of the situation is described through the injury of the victim.

Was a girl cryin' at a table and it was Frank, they said
The identification of the culprit in the situation is revealed.

Well, I went out and I jumped in my car and I hit the lights
The urgency and importance of the situation is shown through the singer's actions.

Well, I musta done a hundred and ten through Michigan County that night
The singer is willing to take risks to resolve the issue quickly.

It was out at the crossroads, down 'round Willow bank
The location where the singer finally tracks down his brother is mentioned.

Seen a Buick with Ohio plates, behind the wheel was Frank
The artist is able to identify the car and driver who was involved in the incident.

Well I chased him through them county roads
The artist starts a chase to catch his brother.

'Til a sign said "Canadian border five miles from here"
The chase comes to a halt at a point where the singer cannot proceed further due to his jurisdiction.

I pulled over the side of the highway and watched his taillights disappear
The singer has to let his brother go and he is left alone on the highway, watching him disappear.

Me and Franky laughin' and drinkin', nothin' feels better than blood on blood
The bond between the brothers, despite everything that has happened, is still emphasized.

Takin' turns dancin' with Maria as the band played "Night of the Johnstown Flood"
The memory of the party earlier in the song is brought back to show how much the brothers enjoyed their time together.

I catch him when he's strayin' like any brother would
The artist's responsibility and willingness to guide his brother towards the right path is once again highlighted.

Man turns his back on his family, he just ain't no good
The importance of family and the negative impact of abandoning one's own family is once again emphasized through repetition of an earlier line.