Chords for Boxcar Willie - Teddy Bear

_ [D] _ _ [A] _ _ [D] _ _
[B] I [D] was out on the outskirts of a little southern town, [G] trying to reach my destination before
the sun went down.
[D] The old CB was flaring away on channel one [A]-nine, when there came a little boy's voice on [C#m] the radio line.
[D] And he said, Breaker one-nine, is anyone [G] there?
Come on, trucker, and talk to Teddy Bear.
[D] Well, I [A] keyed the mic, and I said, You got it, [D] Teddy Bear.
And the little boy's voice came back on the air.
Appreciate the break.
Who we got on that end?
[G] I told him my handle, and then he began.
[D] Now I'm not supposed to bother you fellows out there.
Mom [A] says you're busy, and for me to stay off the air.
[D] But you see, I get lonely, and it helps me to talk.
[G] Cause that's about all I can do.
I'm crippled, and I can't walk.
[D] I came back and told him to fire up that mic.
I'd talk to him as long as he liked.
[C#m] [D] This was my dad's radio, the little boy said.
[G] But I guess it's mine and mom's now, cause daddy's [D] dead.
Dad had a wreck about a month [E] ago.
He was trying to get home in a blinding [C#m] snow.
[D] Mom has to work now to make ends meet.
[G] And I'm not much help with my two crippled feet.
[D] She says not to worry, that we'll make it all right.
But I hear her crying, sometimes late at [A] night.
[D] You know, there's one thing I want more than anything else [G] to see.
I know you guys are too busy to bother [D] with me.
But you see, my dad used to take me for [A] rides when he was home.
I guess that's all over [D] now since my daddy's gone.
Well sir, not [G] one breaker came on the old CB
as that little crippled boy talked with [D] me.
You know, I [A] tried hard to swallow,
but the [D] lump just wouldn't stay down.
As I thought about my [C#m] own little boy [D] back in Greenville town.
Dad was gonna take mom [G] and me with him later on this year.
Well, I remember him saying, [D] someday this old truck
will be yours, Teddy Bear.
_ [A] And I know I'll never get to ride an 18-wheeler again.
[D] But this old [Am] base will keep me in touch
with all my trucker [G] friends.
Well, Teddy Bear is gonna [D] back out now and leave you alone.
Cause it's about time for mom to come home.
But you give me a shout [C#m] when you're passing [D] through.
I'll sure be happy to come back to you.
[G] Well, I came back and I said, before you go,
10-10, [D] what's your home 20, little CB friend?
[A] Well, he gave me his address.
I didn't hesitate.
[D] Cause this hot load of freight is just gonna have to wait.
[G] I turned that truck around on a dime
and headed straight for Jackson [D] street, 229.
And as I rounded the corner, boy, I got one heck of a shock.
[B] [D] 18-wheelers were lined up for three city block.
[G] Why, I guess every driver for miles around
had caught Teddy Bear's call.
[D] And that little cripple boy was having a ball.
[A] For as fast as one driver would carry [C#m] him in,
[D] another would carry him to his truck and take off again.
[G] Well, you better believe I took my turn
at riding Teddy Bear.
[D] And then I carried him back in and put him down in his chair.
And buddy, if I never live to [Bm] see happiness again,
[D] I want you to know I saw it that day
in the face [G] of that little man.
We took up a collection [D] for him before his mama got home.
And each driver said goodbye.
[A] And then they were all gone.
He shook [D] my hand with a mile long grin
and said, so long, trucker.
[G] I'll catch you again.
Well, [D] I hit that interstate with tears in my eyes.
And I turned on the radio and got another surprise.
[Bm] [D] Breaker 1-9 came a voice on the air.
[G] Just one word of thanks from Mama Teddy Bear.
[D] We wish each and everyone a special prayer [A] just for you.
As you just made my little boy's [D] dream come true.
I'll sign off now before I [G] start to cry.
May God ride with [D] you tenfold.
[A] And.
[D] _ _ _ [Bm] _ [D] _ _ _ _ [G] _ _ _
_ [D] _ _ _ _ [A] _ _ _