I was out on the West Coast, to make a And things didn't work out, I was down on my Got a-roamin' and bummin' around So I started thumbin' back East, toward my town.
Made a lot of miles, the first two And I figured I'd be home in week, if my luck held out way But, the night I got stranded, way out of town At a cold, lonely crossroads, rain was down.
I was hungry and freezin', caught a chill When the of a big semi topped the hill Lord, I sure was glad to hear them air brakes come on And I in that cab, where I knew it'd be warm.
At the wheel sit a big man, he weighed about He stuck out his and said with a grin "Big Joe's the name", I told him And he "The name of my rig is Phantom 309."
I asked him why he 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 the better part of the night When the lights of a truck came in sight He "I'm sorry son, this is as far as you go 'Cause, I gotta make a turn, on up the road."
Well, he tossed me a dime as he 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 went and ordered me a cup Told the waiter Big Joe was 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 with a grin He said: "Naw, this every now and then Ever' driver in knows Big Joe But son, let me you what happened about ten years ago.
At the tonight, where you flagged him down There was a bus of kids, comin' from town And they right in the middle, when Big Joe topped the hill It could been slaughter, but he turned his wheel.
Well, Joe lost control, went a skid And gave his life to save that kids And there at crossroads, was the end of the line For Big Joe and 309
But, now and then, some hiker'll come by And like you, Big Joe'll 'em a ride Here, another cup and forget about the dime it as a souvenir, from Big Joe and Phantom 309!"