Driving past Terre Haute in the rain
Black coffee and triptophane
Another Thanksgiving Day on the road
I ain’t complaining I been home a long stretch just now

Up before the sun and on my way
Oklahoma-Pittsburgh in a day
Conversation with an old friend who
Says that lately I ain’t been such a good friend

I’m just trying to stay awake on the road
Maybe I should get some pie a la mode
Nine hundred miles is a heavy load
Black Beauties now would feel like gold

I really like the smell of gasoline
Makes me think of places that I’ve been
Reminds me of a distant mountain scene
Don’t breathe it too much, it’ll make you dream

I knew a girl once in Millersville
I wonder if she lives there still
Got no time ‘cept to stop and fill
Next time I surely will

I’m just trying to stay awake on the road
I’m losing control, heading for broke
We’re gonna shake it down,
Shake it down

When I get there I’m gonna get me a room
Gonna take things out and look at them
Maybe get me something nice to eat
Later get myself a little treat

I’m just trying to stay awake on the road
I been flippin through the radio
Fast-talking con men and cowboy songs
Preachers telling me to come along

All I wanna do is stay awake Jack
With the wind still blowin and the night so black
Black like the coffee in my coffee cup
Stir it up, stir it up

I knew these sisters once in Bloomington
It’s been years since I thought of them
I wouldn’t know how to find them now
I forgot their names anyhow

I’m just trying to stay awake on the road
Maybe I should get some pie a la mode
Nine hundred miles is a heavy load
Black Beauties now would feel like gold

(lyrics: Dan Bern)