Del Reeves Phantom 309 Lyrics

Phantom 309 Lyrics

I was out on the west coast trying to make a buck



Things didn't work out I was kinda down on my luck



Got tired of roaming and bumming around



So I started thumbing back east toward my hometown



Made a lot of miles the first two days



I figured I'd be home in a week if my luck held this way



But the third night I got stranded way outside of town



At a cold lonely crossroad rain was pouring down



I was hungry and I was freezing done caught a chill



When the lights of a big semi topped the hill



Lord I was sure glad to hear them air brakes come on



And I climbed in that cab where I knew it would be warm



At the wheel there sat a big man he weighed about 2-10



He stuck out his hand and said with a grin



Big Joe's the name I told him mine



He said the name of my rig's Phantom 309



I asked him why he called his rig such a name



He said son this old Mack can put 'em all to shame



There ain't no driver or a rig running any line



That's seen nothing but tail lights from Phantom 309



We rode and talked the best part of the night



When the lights of a truck stop came in sight



He said I'm sorry son this is as far as you go



Cause I gotta make another turn just on up the road



He tossed me a dime as he pulled her in low



And said have yourself a hot cup old Big Joe



When Joe and his rig roared out in the night



In nothing flat he was clean out of sight



I went inside and ordered me a cup



Told the waiter Big Joe was setting me up



You could've heard a pin drop



It got deathly quiet and the waiter face turned kinda white



Did I say something wrong I said with a half way grin



He said no this happens every now and then



Every driver in here knows Big Joe



But son let me tell you what happened bout ten years ago



At the crossroads tonight where you flagged him down



There was a bus full of kids a comin' from town



They were right in the middle when Joe tapped the hill



It could have been slaughter but he turned his wheels



Joe lost control went into a skid



Gave his own life to save that bunch of kids



And there at the crossroads was the end of the line



For Big Joe and Phantom 309



But every now and then some higher'll come by



And like you Big Joe'll give 'em a ride



Here have another cup and forget about that dime



Keep it as a souvenir from Big Joe and Phantom 309