Teddy Bear

Lyrics

[Intro] You know, when I first discussed this King of the Hill CD with the folks over there at Elektra Records I suggested doing the song called "Teddy Bear" by the great Red Sovine Well, they all sort of chuckled and snickered, which I took to mean that they didn't care much for Red Sovine or his music But then I pointed out that King of the Hill is my show And I could pull the plug on this project at any point So, long story short, they agreed And I will now sing for you, one of the greatest songs ever written "Teddy Bear" by Red Sovine [Verse 1] I was on the outskirts of a little southern town Tryin' to reach my destination before the sun went down The old CB was blarin' away on Channel 1-9 When there came a little boy's voice on the radio line [Verse 2] And he said, "Breaker 1-9, is anyone there? Come on back, truckers, and talk to Teddy Bear" Well, I keyed the mic and said, "You got it, Teddy Bear" And the little boy's voice came back on the air [Verse 3] "'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 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 [Verse 4] "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 tryin' to get home in a blindin' snow Mom has to work now to make ends meet And I'm not much help with my two crippled feet She says not to worry that we'll make it alright But I hear her cryin' sometimes late at night You know, there's just one thing I want more than anything else to see Oh, I know you guys are too busy to bother with me, little crippled boy But, you see, my dad used to take me for rides when he was home But I guess that's all over now since my daddy's gone [Verse 5] Not one breaker came on the old CB As that little crippled boy talked with me I tried hard to swallow a lump that just wouldn't stay down As I thought about my own boy back in Greenville Town [Verse 6] Dad was gonna take Mom and me with him later on this year Why, I remember him sayin', "Someday this old truck will be yours, Teddy Bear" But I know I'll never get a ride an 18-wheeler again But this old base will keep me in touch with all my trucker friends 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 [Verse 7] Well, I came back and I said, uh, "Before you go, 10-10 What's your home 20, little CB friend?" Well, he gave me his address and I didn't once hesitate 'Cause this hot load of freight is just gonna have to wait I turned that truck around on a dime And headed straight for Jackson Street 229 And as I rounded the corner, oh, I got one heck of a shock 18-wheelers were lined up for three city blocks Why, I guess every driver for miles around had caught Teddy Bear's call And that little crippled boy was havin' a ball For as fast as one driver would carry him in Another would carry him to his truck and take off again [Verse 8] Well, you better believe I took my turn at ridin' Teddy Bear Uh, I mean, givin' a ride to Teddy Bear And then I carried him back in and put him down in his chair And buddy, if I never lived to see happiness again I want you to know I saw it that day in the face of that little man [Verse 9] We took up a collection for him before his mama got home And, and each driver said goodbye and then they all were gone He shook my hand with a mile-long grin And said, "So long, trucker, I'll catch you again" Well, I hit the Interstate with tears in my eyes I turned on the radio and I got another surprise "Breaker 1-9", came a voice on the air "Just one word of thanks from Mama Teddy Bear We wish each and every one a special prayer 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 10-4 and goodbye" [Outro: Cotton Hill] I killed fifty men Where's my free ride?