Backin' to Birmingham

Backin' to Birmingham is a novelty country song recorded by bluegrass legend Lester Flatt and released as the 3rd track on his 1972 album Kentucky Ridgerunner. Burkett (Josh) Graves co-wrote the song which tells a story of a novice trucker charged with delivering a load of steel from Chicago, Illinois to Birmingham. Unable to shift into a forward gear, he drives all the way in reverse. The "coals to Newcastle" irony is not acknowledged in the lyrics.

A cover of the song served as the title track for a 2004 album by Trey Hensley & Drivin' Force.

Lyrics

"I read an ad in Chicago's Sunday paper

"Help wanted: Semi drivers needed bad"

I walked in and said I'd like to see the foreman

I told him all the experience that I had"

"He said "Son, you're just the man I needed"

He handed me the keys and shook my hand

He pointed to the truck and said "I'll see you

Take that load of steel to Birmingham."

"Well I finally got inside and got it started

Put it into gear and started backin' up

Tried every way to get it goin' forward

But I ain't never drove a big old truck"

"Well it wasn't easy backin' through the traffic

And I'll bet I'm the first truck drivin' man

That ever left Chicago in a semi

And backed it all the way to Birmingham."

"The police pulled me over down in Nashville

"What do you think you're doin?" I just smiled

I said, "I just got tired of goin' forward"

I thought I'd drive it backward for a while"

"I backed it in a truck stop and said fill it

And check the oil, it probably needs a can

He said, "Tell me, which way are you backin'

I said I'm backin' south to Birmingham."

"Oh there must be a button on here somewhere

That I can push to turn this rig around

Now I can make it fine out in the country

But I have trouble gettin' through the town"

"But if I keep it up I'll finally make it

And I'll bet I'm the first truck drivin' man

That ever left Chicago in a semi

And backed it all the way to Birmingham.

And backed it all the way to Birmingham."

References

• Mathews, Burgin (September 10, 2009) "Do That Stomp: 20 Days, 20 Birmingham Songs" Pavo magazine