Well, I caught a taxi in the old Smoky MountainsI had to get to the airport, before ten o'clockHad to check out of my funky motel roomAnd the nearest bus station was a ten mile walkWell, the taxi cab pulled up and the driver stepped outShe wore a pink shirt with black slacks and some cheap perfumeThere were holes in her smile and she talked kinda raspyAnd she was shaped like the sister of "Earthquake McGoon"Well the sunrise was hazy and my suitcase was heavyAnd she lit up a smoke while my shoulder bags saggedShe said "I'll take you as far as the Hickory AirportBut I'm aint gettin' paid to carry your bags"I took a two hour taxi through North CarolinaI heard more bluegrass music, than I wanted to hearAnd the big lady driver, she had a tattoo of JesusSaid "let the lord bless you and keep you my dear"Said "let the lord bless you and keep you my dear"The cab smelled like menthols and the floorboards were dirtyFrom styrofoam cups and old cigarettesShe said "I hope that my daughter doesn't pick up my habitsShe's just nine years old, and she's way to young yet"Well I looked out my window at the old Smoky MountainsWhile she sang high harmonies with Charlie MonroeAnd the air smelled like hickory mixed in with the mentholAnd both sides of the highway were covered with snowShe said "Most of my family lives in a trailorBut my husband hauls diesel so we're not on relief"And I pictured him somewhere of some lonely truckstopHe was hittin on a waitress with a good set of teethChorusWell I reached for my billfold as we pulled in the airportShe blew me a kiss while she counted the costAnd when she pulled away there were mandolins playingWith the smoke from the menthols and the tail-pipe exhaustOutro Instrumental
