12/14/08

A long, long time ago...
I can still remember how
my paycheck used to make me smile
And I knew if I had my chance
A few days off, I could finance
And, maybe, I'd be happy for a while

But the frosty winds made me shiver
With every load that I'd deliver
Bad news on the post-trip
My bracket snapped at its tip
I can't remember if I cried
When the dealer said they really tried
But the part I need they don't supply
Today, my paycheck died

So bye-bye, weekly income that's high
Drove my Kenworth to the dealer
But the stock room was dry
And them good old boys
Were smokin' Camels nearby
Singin, "Tuesday is the day you can fly"
"Tuesday is the day you can fly"

Did you write the book of life?
And did you include all the extra strife?
Just 'cause you were in the mood
Do you believe in the luck of the draw?
Or that little thing called Murphy's Law?
Can you teach me how to choose the long straw?

Well, I know that that's just how it goes
My life has had more highs than lows
I'll just kick off my shoes
Now I have lots of time to snooze
I was a lonely driver rolling east
With a good week's pay in the books at least
But I knew I that my luck had ceased
The day my paycheck died

I started singin, "Bye-bye, weekly income that's high"
Drove my Kenworth to the dealer
But the stock room was dry
And them good old boys
Were smokin' Camels nearby
Singin, "Tuesday is the day you can fly"
"Tuesday is the day you can fly"

For the last month I've been on the road
Praying for miles with every load
But that's not how it used to be
Before the market went into the tank
We all had some money in the bank
But the financial meltdown, we did not foresee

Oh, and while Fannie Mae was going down
Hank Paulson mumbled like a clown
The congress was adjourned
No action was returned
And while The One, he read a book on Marx
Into a recession we did embark
And Bush spent a trillion on a lark
The day my paycheck died

We were singin' "Bye-bye, weekly income that's high"
Drove my Kenworth to the dealer
But the stock room was dry
And them good old boys
Were smokin' Camels nearby
Singin, "Tuesday is the day you can fly"
"Tuesday is the day you can fly"

Helter skelter, I had no smelter
So I would have to search for shelter,
With a smelter, I could have built the part
Instead it would have to be shipped in
And I would take it on the chin
While I sat and thought about, what might have been

Now the air was filled with diesel fumes
While the radio played a redneck tune
I don't get up to dance,
Oh, but have I ever got the chance!
'Cause I tried to find something to do
All I could find were food and brew
Do you recall what worked for you
The day your paycheck died?

We started singin' "Bye-bye, weekly income that's high"
Drove my Kenworth to the dealer
But the stock room was dry
And them good old boys
Were smokin' Camels nearby
Singin, "Tuesday is the day you can fly"
"Tuesday is the day you can fly"

Oh, and there we were all in one place,
A bunch of southern boys talkin' Chase
But I've never been a NASCAR fan
So come on: Jack be nimble, Jack be quick!
Jack come up with some kind of trick
Cause without that part I'm sitting on my can

Oh, as I watched him on the phone
I realized my day was blown
No angel born in hell
Could break that Satan's spell
And as I gave into my plight
I needed a place to spend the night
I saw Satan laughing with delight
The day my paycheck died

He was singing, "Bye-bye, weekly income that's high"
Drove my Kenworth to the dealer
But the stock room was dry
And them good old boys
Were smokin' Camels nearby
Singin, "Tuesday is the day you can fly"
"Tuesday is the day you can fly"

I met a Godfather who sang the blues
And I asked him for some happy news
But he just smiled and turned away
I went down to the Super 8
Where for my part I would have to wait
But the Hindu guy said, "Please enjoy your stay."
And in the streets, the cars went by,
Then I shrugged, and let out a sigh
But not a word was spoken
My weekend hopes were broken
And the three men I admire most
The Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost
They inspired me to write this post
The day my paycheck died

And they were singing, "Bye-bye, weekly income that's high"
Drove my Kenworth to the dealer
But the stock room was dry
And them good old boys
Were smokin' Camels nearby
Singin, "Tuesday is the day you can fly"
"Tuesday is the day you can fly"

They were singing, "Bye-bye, weekly income that's high"
Drove my Kenworth to the dealer
But the stock room was dry
And them good old boys
Were smokin' Camels nearby
Singin, "Tuesday is the day you can fly"