I'm writing a trucker song--Any input?

Well you gotta be sure to hit all the points of a trucker's life - unless it's gonna be a song specific to one trucker.
Food
Roads
Rest Stops
Inspections
Pay
Loads
Weather
Equip & Repairs
"Hood ornaments" (hit animals or people)

This list could get pretty long

 

songwriter ,now theres a change of pace i like that! someome whos willing to talk about the truckers point of veiw

 

Joe Stampley had some good ones in the 70s too.
"Roll On Big Mama" was my favorite.

 

Day dream about on the road? Smooth roads, light loads and two ply toilet paper.

I may be unique in this but, more often as not when I go home I feel like a guest. Everyone has been having a life and getting along just fine without me. That tweaks a guy sometimes. I know a handful of guys who have gotten off the road in order to be with their families more and have screwed up a really good system, developed over the years around the fact that he just wasn't there. Made it harder on everyone that he came home to stay. It has crossed my mind (and perhaps others here) that, "I am more important to these people when I am gone than when I am here". Being a truck driver, your absence provides the security that your family needs. Hard but true.

 

You expressed that well, BullGoose. A lot of truth there.
They have learned to handle crisis in your absence.
I suppose it should serve to assuage any guilt one might have for not being there like a "normal" father or husband.
If one was insecure, it could also serve to remind them of their unavailabilty.
But you can't be two places at once. It took me years to admit that I actually enjoy being away.
Some guys won't admit that and complain about not being home more.
If that were truly the case, they would make it happen.

One side effect for me is the closeness my wife and daughter have developed, leaving me feeling like the odd man out sometimes.
Who knows, that may have happened anyway, if I was away or not.

 

Another good one about trucking is "30,000 Pounds (of bananas)" by Harry Chapin.

SongWriter, don't forget the truckers best traveling companion, his trusty DOG!
And, the hot brakes, icy weather conditions, and 4-wheelers who cut him off in the bad weather...

Judi Kay

 

How about the hours and hours we spend waiting for our trucks to get loaded then have to hear dispatch scream and yell because (legally speaking) we dont have hours to dellivewr on time and are running late as a result of someone elses actions.

Then at the dellivery we have to be the professional and apologize for being late in spite of how bad we want to scream back once JUST ONCE!!!

Sitting between loads? No detention, no layover. Burning up my fuel to keep their student comfy in the Texas heat.

But thru it all I think BullGoose hit it best. I always tell my students a trucker is never where he/she wants to be. We miss home when we arent there and when we are home we miss the road. You just cant be in 2 places at once. But Bull, your description of feeling lik,e the odd man out is dead on. I always figured I was a little odd for feeling that way. Cant say Im glad there are more like me, but I am glad Im not crazy.

 

This is mine so you are welcome to use it or some of it if you want. This may not be the derection you want to go but maybe it will give you some ideas.Good luck!


Think of me.

I travel down these highways and by ways day in and day out. Through the wind and the rain i ride with nothing more than my thoughts to keep me company. My soul and my stead are one in the same through the loneliness and the pain ......Think of me.


I live my life by the rise of the sun, never knowing where that next sun rise will find me. My life is one in the same with the cowboys of old. Long weeks away from the ones i love and little pay to show for my sacrifice but i go on....Think of me.


I bring the country there lives as i travel. When you sit down to eat with your family the food that you have was with me for a time . The car your drive, the clothes you wear and the supplies to build your homes with, they were all with me for a time. All these things you have came to you stained with my tears...... Think of me.


I am one of the last of a dying breed, one of the knights of the road. I bring the world its pleasures with my blood and help build the country with my tears .

The blue sky and black top is my home and trucker is my name.....Think of me.