Highway Nine

Jangly Guitar Intro

Verse 1

She worked the late shift off Highway Nine

Kept bus schedules under register five

Saved every twenty in a coffee can

Said, "One more month and I'm gone—that's the plan"

I came in nightly, ordered coffee and fries

Mostly for the way she rolled her eyes

I said, "When you leave, let me know somehow"

She said, "If I tell you, you'll talk me down"

Chorus

Westbound, westbound

She was gone before the sun came out

Left one line on the counter:

"Don't wait for me—I waited long enough"

Westbound, westbound

Every truck sounds like she's coming back around

She didn't leave me, she left this town

And I can't blame her now

Verse 2

Tuesday morning, her booth was clean

New girl pouring coffee where she'd been

Under my cup was a folded note

Four short lines that she barely wrote:

"Bus came early, couldn't say goodbye

You were too kind, and that's partly why

Don't build a life around waiting around

I didn't leave you—I left this town"

Chorus

Westbound, westbound

She was gone before the sun came out

Left one line on the counter:

"Don't wait for me—I waited long enough"

Westbound, westbound

Every truck sounds like she's coming back around

She didn't leave me, she left this town

And I can't blame her now

Rap Bridge

One bag, two shifts, three years saved

Four-line note and a one-way train

She didn't need rescue, didn't need a ride

Just enough nerve to choose her life

I kept that note, but I quit that week

Some goodbyes teach you how to leave

Dropped my apron where the time clock stood

Took the first road out while the weather was good

Final Chorus

Westbound, westbound

I was gone before the next sun came out

Left one line on the counter:

"You were right—I waited long enough"

Westbound, westbound

Didn't know where I was going, just out

She didn't leave me, she showed me how

And I can thank her now

Outro

Some people say goodbye

Some people show you the road