Monteagle Mountain

There's a stretch of highway on Interstate 24

Between Nashville and Chattanooga

That's claimed many trucker's life

And your life is in your hands

When you start down that long steep grade

On Monteagle Mountain

I just rolled out of Nashville in my big rig headin' south

My eyes are on fire, feels like cotton in my mouth

My whole body's achin' but I got to make them big wheels roll

I got to be in Florida by tomorrow morning with a full heavy load

I got to get passed Atlanta as soon as I can tonight

I got to try to dodge the scales and stay out of Smoky's sight

But there's one big thing standin' like a nightmare in my way

I got to top Monteagle Mountain, a little bit later today

Goin' down Monteagle Mountain on I-24

It's hell for a trucker when the devil's at your door

He'll tempt you and tell you, "Come on, let her roll"

'Cause the mountain wants your rig and "trucker, I want your soul"

When I started down Monteagle, the brakes just wouldn't hold

I knew I was in trouble and about to lose control

The runaway ramp was waitin', I saw the warnin' sign

I said, "Lord, help me make it, have mercy on this soul of mine"

Well, I ploughed into that runaway ramp

And I could feel that big truck groan

My life flashed right before my eyes

And for a minute I thought I was gone

But when the smoke cleared

I thanked God that I was still alive

'Cause when there's a runaway on Monteagle

Some truckers don't survive

Goin' down Monteagle Mountain on I-24

It's hell for a trucker when the devil's at your door

He'll tempt you and tell you, "Come on, let her roll"

'Cause the mountain wants your rig and "trucker I want your soul"

Yeah, many good man has lost his life

On Monteagle Mountain, it's a long steep grade

Many good hard workin' boy gone over the side

Watch out for Monteagle