Track 10 of the album Vacancy Sign · 2011
The Man Who Pushed My Car
“A stranger pushed my dead car off a county road in the rain and would not take a dime. I closed the record on him because kindness deserves the last word.”
rock ballad · country rock ballad · small-town hymn · 4:22
Lyrics
Dead engine on a county road Rain coming sideways, nowhere to go Dark and cold and a phone with no bars Just a hundred miles of fence and stars Headlights bending through the rain A stranger in a cap stepped out of a truck Said I got a rope, I got some time Didn't ask my name, didn't ask a dime He leaned his shoulder to the frame Said somebody did the same for me Oh, the man who pushed my car Never told me who he is Soaked right through his jacket Said just pass it on, that's all it is Oh, the man who pushed my car Gave me back the road tonight One small kindness in the dark Burns a long, long light Engine caught and I turned to say Thank you, thank you, but he'd walked away Taillights shrinking, a wave of his hand A stranger who knew where I stand I leaned my shoulder to the frame Some other night, some other name Oh, the man who pushed my car Never told me who he is Soaked right through his jacket Said just pass it on, that's all it is Oh, the man who pushed my car Gave me back the road tonight One small kindness in the dark Burns a long, long light Years have rolled since that wet night I stop for every pair of hazard lights I don't need a name or a thank you either Just a rope and a hand, and a little weather Oh, the man who pushed my car Never told me who he is Soaked right through his jacket Said just pass it on, that's all it is Oh, the man who pushed my car Gave me back the road tonight One small kindness in the dark Burns a long, long light Burns a long, long light Pass it on tonight