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I was on the outskirts of a little southern town, |
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Trying to reach my destination before the sun went down. |
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The old CB was blaring away on channel one-nine, |
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When there came a little boy's voice on the radio line. |
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And he said, "Breaker, one-nine, is anyone there? |
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Come on back, truckers, and talk to Teddy Bear." |
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Well, I keyed the mike and I said, "You got it,Teddy Bear." |
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And the little boy's voice came back on the air. |
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"Preciate the break. Who we got on that end?" |
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I told him my handle, and then he began: |
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"Now, I'm not supposed to bother you fellas out there, |
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Mom says you're busy and for me to stay off the air. |
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But, you see, I get lonely and it helps to talk, |
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'Cause that's about all I can do. I'm crippled and I can't walk." |
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I came back and told him to fire up that mike, |
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And I'd talk to him as long as he'd like. |
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"This was my dad's radio," the little boy said, |
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"But I guess it's mine and Mom's now 'cause my daddy's dead. |
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Dad had a wreck about a month ago. |
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He was trying to get home in a blinding snow. |
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Mom has to work now to make ends meet, |
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And I'm not much help with my two crippled feet. |
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She says not to worry, that we'll make it all right, |
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But I hear her crying sometimes late at night. |
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You know, there's just one thing I want more than anything else to see. |
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Aw, I know you guys are too busy to bother with me, a little crippled boy. |
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But, you see, my dad used to take me for rides when he was home, |
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But I guess that's all over now since my daddy's gone." |
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Not one breaker came on the old CB, |
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As that little crippled boy talked with me. |
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I tried hard to swallow, the lump just wouldn't stay down. |
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As I thought about my boy back in Greenville town. |
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"Dad was gonna take Mom and me with him later on this year." |
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Why, I remember him saying, "Someday this old truck'll be yours, Teddy Bear." |
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But I know I'll never get to ride an 18-wheeler again, |
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But this old base will keep me in touch with all my trucker friends. |
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Teddy Bear's gonna back on out now and leave you alone, |
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'Cause it's about time for Mom to come home. |
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But you give me a shout when you're passing through, |
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And I'll sure be happy to come back to you." |
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Well, I came back and I said, "Before you go ten-ten, |
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What's your home-twenty, little CB friend?" |
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Well, he gave me his address and I didn't once hesitate, |
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'Cause this hot load of freight was just gonna have to wait. |
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I turned that truck around on a dime, |
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And headed straight for Jackson Street, 229. |
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And as I rounded the corner, oh, I got one heck of a shock-- |
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Eighteen-wheelers were lined up for three city blocks! |
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Why, I guess every driver for miles around had caught Teddy Bear's call, |
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And that little crippled boy was having a ball. |
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For as fast as one driver would carry him in, |
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Another would carry him to his truck and take off again. |
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Well, you better believe I took my turn at riding Teddy Bear. |
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Ah I mean giving a ride to Teddy Bear |
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And then I carried him back in and put him down in his chair. |
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And, buddy, if I never live to see happiness again, |
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I want you to know I saw it that day, in the face of that little man. |
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We took up a collection for him before his mama got home, |
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And each driver said goodbye and then they were all gone. |
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He shook my hand with a mile-long grin, |
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And said, "So long, trucker, I'll catch you again!" |
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Well, I hit the interstate with tears in my eyes, |
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I turned on the radio and I got another surprise. |
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"Breaker, one-nine," came a voice on the air, |
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"Just one word of thanks from Mama Teddy Bear. |
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We wish each and every one a special prayer for you, |
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'Cause you just made my little boy's dream come true. |
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I'll sign off now before I start to cry. |
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May God ride with you. Ten-four, and goodbye." |