WRECK ON THE HIGHWAY
“Wreck on the Highway” was written by Dorsey M Dixon, of the Dixon Brothers, and was recorded by them in the late 1930s on the Bluebird label. Roy Acuff made this song a big hit in 1940. He was the first true singing star of the Opry, and an impressive showman with 60-some year’s experience. His Smokey Mountain Boys were a virtual circus of hillbilly music, combining cornball with authenticity old-time music. Throughout the changes in commercial country music, Acuff’s act remained primarily acoustic and focused on traditional ballads he learned in Union County, Tennessee. Originally a fiddler, Acuff developed a heartfelt, emotional singing style that became the stereotype of old-time country.
Who did you say it was brother?Who was it fell by the way?When whiskey and blood run together Did you hear anyone pray?CHORUS I didn’t hear nobody pray, dear brother I didn’t hear nobody pray I heard the crash on the highway But, I didn’t hear nobody pray.When I heard the crash on the highway I knew what it was from the start I went to the scene of destruction And a picture was stamped on my heart.There was whiskey and blood all together Mixed with glass where they lay Death played her hand in destruction But I didn’t hear nobody pray.I wish I could change this sad story That I am now telling you But there is no way I can change it For somebody’s life is now through.Their soul has been called by the Master They died in a crash on the way And I heard the groans of the dying But, I didn’t hear nobody pray.