I was out on the West Coast, to make a And didn't work out, I was down on my luck Got tired a-roamin' and around So I started back East, toward my home town.
a lot of miles, the first two days And I figured I'd be home in week, if my luck out this way But, the third I got stranded, way out of town At a cold, lonely crossroads, rain was down.
I was hungry and freezin', done caught a When the lights of a big topped the hill Lord, I sure was glad to hear them air brakes come on And I climbed in that cab, where I knew be warm.
At the wheel sit a big man, he about two-ten He stuck out his and said with a grin "Big the name", I told him mine And he "The name of my rig is Phantom 309."
I him why he called his rig such a name He "Son, this old Mack can put 'em all to shame There ain't a driver, or a rig, any line Ain't seen but taillights from Phantom 309."
Well, we rode and talked the better of the night When the of a truck stop came in sight He said: "I'm son, this is as far as you go 'Cause, I make a turn, just on up the road."
Well, he tossed me a as he pulled her in low And "Have yourself a cup on old Big Joe." When Joe and his rig roared out in the In flat, he was clean out of sight.
Well, I inside and ordered me a cup the waiter Big Joe was settin' me up Aw!, you heard a pin drop, it got deathly quiet And the waiter's face turned white.
Well, did I say something wrong? I said a halfway grin He "Naw, this happens every now and then Ever' in here knows Big Joe But son, let me tell you what happened ten years ago.
At the crossroads tonight, you flagged him down There was a bus load of kids, comin' town And they were right in the middle, Big Joe topped the hill It could have slaughter, but he turned his wheel.
Well, Joe lost control, went into a And gave his life to that bunch-a kids And there at crossroads, was the end of the line For Big Joe and 309
But, every now and then, hiker'll come by And you, Big Joe'll give 'em a ride Here, have another cup and forget about the Keep it as a souvenir, Big Joe and Phantom 309!"