[Intro] (Slow, dark acoustic strumming. A fiddle screeches like a tire on hot asphalt.) (Deep, raspy spoken growl): "I’m a peaceful man... until you put a Nissan Altima in front of me." [Verse 1] Been runnin' this highway since before I could vote Got a ring Three kids And a temper like a goat CB crackles Some rookie cuts me tight Spillin' my coffee and my last bit of light [Chorus] I got eighteen wheels from losin' it White knuckles on a worn-out grip Prayin' for patience Cursin' this lane My therapist says I'm “managing pain” I got a picture of my babies on the dash And a heart like a lit-up match Lord Keep me from doin' somethin' dumb 'Cause I'm this close to takin' out my gun (hey!) [Verse 2] Minivan drifts while she’s textin’ her mom Kids in the back throwin’ fries like a bomb She slams her brakes I see my life flash twice Once for my funeral Once for my wife’s advice [Chorus] I got eighteen wheels from losin' it Shoutin’ words that don’t sound like hymns Talkin’ to myself like a crazy friend “Count to ten Boy Count to ten” Got crayon hearts on my sun visor And a blood pressure gettin’ higher Lord Keep me from climbin’ out that cab ‘Cause I still gotta grill my boy’s first crab [Bridge] [Band drops to low rumble Fiddle scratches slow and mean] Pulled in that truck stop Steam in my eyes Called home and heard my little girl cry “Daddy Don’t you fight those bad folks out there” So I cussed in my head and I said a cheap prayer (mmm) [Chorus] Now I’m eighteen prayers from coolin' down Still the meanest teddy bear in this town Got my temper buckled like a load in back Every curse word buried under black coffee tracks I got a wife who’ll kill me if I brawl Three small reasons to not hit that wall So I just honk Glare And drive on by Let that mad fiddle scream while I stay dry (woah) (Pausing for a reflection) [Outro] (Slow, dark strumming fades) (Spoken in a raspy whisper): So if you see my middle finger out the window... That’s just my way of sayin' you almost made my wife a widow. Road rage is just fear with a loud-mouthed engine... And I’m just tryin’ to make it home to my kids. (Deep chuckle) Get out of the left lane, son. (Final heavy guitar thud)

Eighteen Wheels From Losing It