[Verse 1]
Coffee in a stained white cup
Fluorescent dawn at the station
Grease on my name patch, boots by the door
Another call, another situation
Kids’ drawings on the visor
Wife’s voice on the line
“Be safe, come home when you can”
I say “I’m trying, I’m trying”
[Chorus]
We’re the ones out in the shoulder gravel
Hazard lights against the sky
Hooking chains in the cold and traffic
Putting our lives on the line
Every call could be our last one
Still we answer every time
Light duty, heavy burden
Rollin’ while the whole world drives on by
[Verse 2]
Midnight rain on the windshield
Four-way flash from a curve up ahead
Drunk kid shaking on the guardrail
Saying “Man, I thought I was dead”
I load his car, pat his shoulder
“Call your mama, she’s been praying tonight”
I pull away from the chaos
Heart pounding harder than the ride
[Chorus]
We’re the ones out in the shoulder gravel
Hazard lights against the sky
Hooking chains in the cold and traffic
Putting our lives on the line
Every call could be our last one
Still we answer every time
Light duty, heavy burden
Rollin’ while the whole world drives on by
[Bridge]
Birthday cake in a kitchen
Melted down to wax and smoke
FaceTime screen at a truck stop table
“Make a wish,” I joke (hey…)
I can’t hold ‘em, but I see ‘em
Smudged handprints on my phone
This rollback bed is my second home
And that’s the part that cuts to the bone
[Chorus]
We’re the ones out in the shoulder gravel
Hazard lights against the sky
Hooking chains in the cold and traffic
Putting our lives on the line
Every call could be our last one
Still we answer every time
Light duty, heavy burden
Rollin’ while the whole world drives on by
[Outro]
So when you pass us on the shoulder
Say a prayer as you drive through
’Cause I’m out here for a stranger
While my family waits on you