Lyr Req: Backing to Birmingham (Lester Flatt)

11 Dec 98 - 01:12 PM (#49028)
Subject: Seeking Lyrics Backing into Birmingham
From: [e-mail]

Dear Mudcats:

Having discovered you just last week, I'm addicted. My performance partner is seeking the lyrics to a song called Backing into Birmingham. I searched the DT for Birmingham and didn't find that song. If you've got the lyrics, please email them to me! Thanks, Vic

[e-mail]

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11 Dec 98 - 01:48 PM (#49035)
Subject: Lyr Add: BACKIN' TO BIRMINGHAM (Lester Flatt)
From: Nathan

Lester Flatt & the Nashville Grass did this one.

BACKIN' TO BIRMINGHAM
(Lester Flatt, Burkett H. Graves, ©1971)
As recorded by Lester Flatt on "Kentucky Ridgerunner" (1971)

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'd had.

Said: "Son, you're just the man I'm needing."
He handed me the keys and shook my hand,
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 backing up,
Tried ever' way to get it going forward,
But I ain't never drove a big old' truck.

Well, it wasn't easy backing through the traffic,
And I'll bet I'm the first truck driving 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 doing?" I just smiled.
I said: "I just got tired of going 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 backing?"
I said: "I'm backing 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 getting through the town.

But if I keep it up, I'll finally make it,
And I'll bet I'm the first truck driving man
That ever left Chicago in a semi
And backed it all the way to Birmingham,
And backed it all the way to Birmingham.

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11 Dec 98 - 05:55 PM (#49063)
Subject: RE: Seeking Lyrics Backing into Birmingham
From: Gene

Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs also did it
check at COWPIE

* CLICK HERE *

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07 Aug 08 - 10:31 PM (#2408107)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Backing into Birmingham
From: Stewart

Great song!

Here's a video of Jerry Middaugh singing this song
on our Pacific NW Folklore Society web site.

Cheers, S. in Seattle
a long way from Birmingham

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