Boxcar Willie – Teddy Bear lyrics

Tryin' to reach my destination before the sun went down.
The old CB was blarin' away on channel one-nine,
When there came a little boy's voice on the radio line.
And he said: "Breaker one-nine! Is anyone there?
"Come on, truckers an' talk to Teddy Bear!"
Well, I keyed the mic an' I said: "You got it, Teddy Bear."
And a little boy's voice came back on the air.
"'Preciate the break. Who we got on that end?"
I told him my handle, and, then he began:
"Now, I'm not supposed to bother you fellows out there.
"Mom says you're busy and for me to stay off the air.
"But, you see, I get lonely and it helps me to talk,
'Cause that's about all I can do. I'm crippled, and, I can't walk!"
I came back and told him to fire up that mic,
And I'd talk to him, as long as he liked.

"This was my dad's radio", the little boy said,
"But I guess it's mine and Mom's now, 'cause my Daddy's dead!"
"Dad had a wreck about a month ago.
"He was trying to get home in a blindin' snow.
"Mom has to work now to make ends meet,
"An' I'm not much help with my two crippled feet."
"She says not to worry, that we'll make it all right,
"But, I hear her crying sometimes late at night.

"You know there's just one thing I want more than anything else to see.
"Aw, I know you guys are too busy to bother with me,
"But, you see, my dad used to take me for rides when he was home.
"I guess that's all over now, since my Daddy's gone."
Well, Sir, not one breaker came on the old CB,
As that little crippled boy talked with me.
You know, I tried hard to swallow, but the lump just wouldn't stay down,
As I thought about my own little boy back in Greenville Town.

"Dad was going to take Mom and me with him later on this year.
"Why, l remember him saying: 'Someday, this old truck will be yours, Teddy Bear!'
"An' I know I'll never get to ride an eighteen-wheeler again.
"But, this old base will keep me in touch with all my trucker friends.
"Well, Teddy Bear's gonna back out now and leave you alone,
"'Cause it's about time for Mom to come home.
"But, you give me a shout when you're passin' through,
"And I'll sure be happy to come back to you."

Well, I came back and I said: "Before you go, ten-ten,
"What's your home-twenty, little CB friend?"
Well, he gave me his address and I didn't hesitate,
'Cause this hot load of freight was just gonna have to wait.
I turned that truck around on a dime,
"An' headed straight for Jackson Street: 229.
And as I rounded the corner, boy, I got one heck of a shock:
Eighteen-wheelers were lined up for three city blocks.

Well, I guess every driver for miles around had caught Teddy Bear's call,
And that little crippled boy was having a ball.
For as fast as one driver would carry him in,
Another would carry him to his truck and take off again.
Well, you better believe, I took my turn at ridin' Teddy Bear,
And then I carried him back in and put him down in his chair.
And buddy if I never live to see happiness again,
I want you to know I saw it that day, in the face of that little man.

We took up a collection for him before his Mama got home,
And each driver said: "Goodbye," and then they were all gone.
He shook my hand with a mile-long grin,
An' said: "So long, trucker. I'll catch you again!"
Well, I hit that Interstate with tears in my eyes,
And I turned on the radio and I got another surprise.
"Breaker one-nine," came a voice on the air,
"Just one word of thanks from Mama Teddy Bear.

"We wish each and every one, a special prayer, just for you,
"'Cause, you just made my little boy's dream come true.
"I'll sign off now, before I start to cry.
"May God ride with you, ten-four, and goodbye."