I left Seattle runnin' late It was rainin', rainin', rainin' cats and dogs The road was slick and full of little tricks Like walkin' on a slick hickory log I had five axles and a white Mustang Pullin' 70,000 on behind As I rolled her out of town To turn Portland around I built her fire and let her whine Lightin' lights, rainy nights, jackknives Well, I made that mountain, went over the top Had her rolled out all the way I went into a curve that took a lot of nerve And I felt that mountain sway As that tandem shuddered and then settled down I heard an air hose snap There was no doubt I had to ride her out Or let her jackknife in my lap Lightin' lights, rainy nights, jackknives There's a lot of operators who can tell you how A runaway rig can kill So I said me a prayer, then I hit the air And let her jackknife off of that hill I crawled out of a pile of junk And walked away with a smile I got off with my life, but a mean jackknife Put me walkin' for a while Lightin' lights, rainy nights, jackknives Jackknives