[Intro – acoustic guitar, steady old-country groove] [Verse 1] I met him in a diner on the old Highway Nine. His coffee had gone cold, the clock was closing in on two. His jacket smelled of diesel, silver showing in his beard. He said, “I've driven forty years, and here's what I've learned out there.” [Pre-Chorus] He leaned across the table, with a smile beneath his eyes. Said, “Son, the road can teach you plenty, if you give it enough time.” [Chorus – steady rolling country rhythm] Know when to keep on driving, know when to turn for home. Know when the road is calling, know when you've gone too long. Know what is worth your keeping, know what to leave behind. Keep a little love beside you, keep a little peace of mind. And when the night gets darker, and you can't see any sign — keep your wheels moving easy, one more mile at a time. [Background Vocals: (One more mile at a time...)] [Instrumental – acoustic guitar, short pedal steel] [Verse 2] He told me of a woman waiting somewhere in Tennessee. Said, “She gave me thirty good years, though I gave the road too much of me.” Then he pulled an old photograph from a pocket in his coat. He looked at her a little while, then quietly he spoke. [Pre-Chorus] “There's always one more highway, there's always one more town. But when somebody waits for you, you'd better turn around.” [Chorus – same groove, slightly fuller] Know when to keep on driving, know when to turn for home. Know when the road is calling, know when you've gone too long. Know what is worth your keeping, know what to leave behind. Keep a little love beside you, keep a little peace of mind. And when the night gets darker, and you can't see any sign — keep your wheels moving easy, one more mile at a time. [Background Vocals: (One more mile at a time...)] [Instrumental – harmonica and acoustic guitar] [Bridge – almost spoken] Then he said, “Call your mother while you can. Keep your promises. Shake a good man's hand. Don't waste ten years trying to win one foolish fight. And if somebody leaves a porch light burning for you... don't make 'em wait all night.” [Short pause] He took the last sip of his coffee. Then smiled and said, “Some roads are worth another mile. Some ain't.” [Instrumental – short pedal steel] [Verse 3] By sunrise he was leaving, his old rig rolling west. I watched those red lights disappear beyond the highway bend. I never learned his last name. I never saw that man again. But every time the road gets long, I hear those words again. [Final Chorus – same rhythm, deeper conviction] Know when to keep on driving, know when to turn for home. Know when the road is calling, know when you've gone too long. Know what is worth your keeping, know what to leave behind. Keep the ones who truly love you, keep a little peace of mind. And when you've found the reason you've been searching all this time — maybe you don't need another road. Maybe... it's time to turn around. [Background Vocals: (Turn around...)] [Outro – acoustic guitar, harmonica] Some roads take you somewhere. Some roads teach you why. And some roads... bring you home. [Lead Vocalist Ad-lib: (Mmmh...)]
