I was on the outskirts of a little southern town
Trying to reach my destination
Before the sun went down
The old CB was blaring away on Channel 1-9
When there came a little boy's voice on the radio wire
And he said,
Breaker 1-9, is anyone there?
Come on back, truckers, and talk to Teddy Bear
Well, I keyed up the mic and said,
You got it, Teddy Bear
And the little boy's voice came back on the air
Appreciate 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 fellas 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
Because that's about all
I can say
You see, 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 just as long as he'd like
This was my dad's radio, the little boy said
But I guess it's mine and mom's now
Because my daddy's dead
Dad had a wreck about a month ago
And he was trying to get home in the blinding 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 all right
But I hear her crying sometimes late at night
You know, there's one thing I want more than anything else to see
I know you guys are too busy to bother with me
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
Not one breaker came on the old CB
As that little crippled boy talked with me
I tried hard to swallow the lump that was in my throat to stay down
As I thought about my boy back in Greenville Town
Dad was gonna take mom and me with him later on this year
Well, I remember him saying
Someday this old truck will be yours, teddy bear
But I know I'll never get to ride an 18-wheeler again
But this old bass will let me keep in touch with my trucker friends
Well, teddy bear's gonna back on out now and leave you alone
Because it's time for mama to come home
But you give me a shout when you're passing through
And I'll be glad to talk to you
Well, I came back and said
Before you go to 1010
What's your home 20, little CB friend?
Well, he gave me his address
And I didn't once hesitate
Because this hot little guy said
Old afraid is just gonna have to wait
And I turned that truck around on a dime
And headed straight for Jackson Street 229
Well, as I rounded the corner
I got a heck of a shock
18 wheelers were lined up for three blocks
Well, I guess every trucker for miles around
Had caught teddy bear's call
And that little crippled boy was having a ball
For as fast as one driver could go
One could carry him in
Another one would carry him out
To his truck and take him off again
Well, you better believe I took my turn at riding teddy bear
And then I carried him back in
And put him down on his chair
And buddy, if I never live to see happiness again
I want you to know I saw it that day
In the face of that little man
We took up a collection for him
Before his mama got home
And I took it home for him
And each driver said goodbye
And then they were all gone
He shook my hand with a mile-long grin
And said, so long, trucker
I'll catch you again
Well, I hit that interstate with tears in my eyes
And I turned on the radio
And got another surprise
Breaker 19 came a voice on the air
Just one word of thanks from Mama Teddy Bear
We wish each and every one of us
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
And may God ride with you
Ten-four and goodbye
Ten-four and goodbye