Ride in the Back

Route Fourteen rolling out at break of day Thirty-one years you drove that city way You call the regulars by name when they climb on Every face you knew before the doors were gone Miss Odette steps slowly with her cane You wait ten extra seconds just the same

Now the last shift's done but the route rolls on Tomorrow you're the one who's climbing on

Ride in the back Thirty-one years at the wheel, now relax Let somebody else call the stops for you Ride in the back

Honk honk, Dad, ride in the back Honk honk, Dad, ride in the back

Your coffee thermos, it's older than me Got a dent from ninety-six you can still see That blizzard winter you were on the clock Never missed a single shift, not one stop Wind against the windshield, wipers working slow You kept the city moving through the snow

Now the last shift's done but the route rolls on Tomorrow you're the one who's climbing on

Ride in the back Thirty-one years at the wheel, now relax Let somebody else call the stops for you Ride in the back

Honk honk, Dad, ride in the back Honk honk, Dad, ride in the back

Every time that bus came rolling down our street You leaned on the horn, two honks right on the beat Two honks and I always knew that it was you Now your first day off, you've got something new Ride the whole route like a passenger would See what it's like in the back for good

Ride in the back Thirty-one years at the wheel, now relax Let somebody else call the stops for you Ride in the back

You learned their names, Curtis, stop by stop Now it's your turn to sit back and watch I'm so proud of you, Dad, I'm honking twice

Ride in the back Thirty-one years at the wheel, now relax This time we'll wait ten seconds for you Ride in the back

Route Fourteen rolling out at break of day