Big Old Mack

(album: Makin' A Mile - 1997)

In the wind and rain of the winter and no glimmer of the sun
We leave the south behind us in that welcome northern run
New motor just been fitted and she's barking from her stack
A snarling Detroit diesel underneath this big old Mack

There's bull lights on her bumper and new chroming on her stack
Her reconditioned gearbox has really brought her back
New booster on her intake and her head is made to suit
And when I hold her open, holy Moses, can she scoot

She's a road train
Geared for the open road and the inland highways
Known to the rugged north and the dusty byways
Big old Mack

Two weeks too long away from all that diesel oil and grime
Tonight we'll see the sun go down across that borderline
There's lots to do, old girl
And we've no time to sleep
Your big repairs have left me broke and you've gotta earn your keep

We're rolling up the highway all the blues are in our wake
The bogey wheels are humming to a good old country tape
Two trailers on we dare to pass the truckies gasp in awe
We're sailing round their modern trucks half throttle to the floor

She knows that golden highway and she knows old golden hill
And the endless blue horizon on the road to Camoowheel
She knows that sunset country where the wedge tailed eagle soars
And the unforgiving distance of the lonely Nullarbor

She's a road train
Geared for the open road and the inland highways
Known to the rugged north and the dusty byways
Oh, big old Mack, big old Mack