WRECK ON THE HIGHWAY

Last night I was out driving
Coming home at the end of the working day
I was riding alone through the drizzling rain
On a deserted stretch of a county two-lane
When I came upon a wreck on the highway

Now there was blood and glass all over
And there was nobody there but me
As the rain tumbled down hard and cold
I seen a young man lying by the side of the road
He cried "Mister, won't you help me please"

An ambulance finally came and took him to Riverside
I watched as they drove him away
And I thought of a girlfriend or a young wife
And a state trooper knocking in the middle of the night
To say "your baby died in a wreck on the highway"

Sometimes I sit up in the darkness
And I watch my baby as she sleeps
Then I climb in bed and I hold her tight
I just lay there awake in the middle of the night
Thinking 'bout the wreck on the highway

Very dark and touching closer of The River set. Played during The River tour. Also appeared during the Born In The USA and Devils & Dust tours.

Also released on singles as B-side to HUNGRY HEART in 1980 and as B-side to CADILLAC RANCH in 1981.

Available on:

1. The River (disc 2- track 9)
2. Tribute 1997: One Step Up / Two Steps Back: The Songs Of Bruce Springsteen (disc 1- track 5), performed by Nils Lofgren

Liner notes from the One Step Up / Two Steps Back: The Songs Of Bruce Springsteen tribute booklet:

Years ago on a tour bus . dead of winter . a blizzard in Germany . came upon a wreck . traffic stopped for hours . watched a man being worked on in the road by paramedics . then a doctor . he didn't make it . really shook me up . I'll never forget it.

the song...

Only played it a few time on the "Born In The U.S.A." tour - always hit deep - Bruce - the master story teller... paints a picture so bleak it disturbs you - then startles you into gratitude at the awesome beauty in every "Now" if you keep your head and heart open.
Love ya Bruce - Thanks!

-Nils