My badge is lying on the dashboard Name scratched white across the blue Foreman said, “See you Monday morning” I just nodded like I always do Thirty miles beyond the factory Smoke stacks disappear below Got my work boots in the back seat And nowhere I’m supposed to go Switchback road Take me up where the air gets thin Every turn makes that town look smaller Than it ever looked from within Engine pulls Gravel kicks against the door I don’t know what waits above me I just know what waits below Dad worked thirty-one years in that building Kept his good wrench in a drawer Said, “A steady check can feed you That don’t mean you owe it more” I used to think he meant stay planted Till I found the note he wrote “Don’t confuse a life that’s steady With a life that fits your coat” Switchback road Take me up where the air gets thin Every turn makes that town look smaller Than it ever looked from within Engine pulls Gravel kicks against the door I don’t know what waits above me I just know what waits below Radio lost its last station County lights are almost gone Temperature drops through the window But the motor keeps pulling on No resignation speech behind me No brave words I had to say Just a badge upon the dashboard And a road that bends away Switchback road Take me higher than I planned Every turn gives back a little Of the wheel inside my hands Engine pulls Mountain opening before Maybe I don’t need an answer Before I climb one corner more Switchback road Now the town is just a glow Morning breaking on the ridgeline On a place I’ve never known Engine off Both boots standing on the stone For the first time in a long time I don’t need to call it home Switchback road Switchback road I can see from here How far I had to go
