New York got the ways and means
But just won't let you be, oh no

Most of the cats that you meet on the street speak of true love
Most of the time they're sittin' and cryin' at home
One of these days they know they better be goin'
Out of the door and down on the street all alone

Truckin', like the do-dah man
Once told me, "You've got to play your hand"
Sometimes your cards ain't worth a dime
If you don't lay 'em down

Sometimes the light's all shinin' on me
Other times I can barely see
Lately it occurs to me
What a long, strange trip it's been

What in the world ever became of sweet Jane?
She lost her sparkle, you know she isn't the same
Livin' on reds, vitamin C, and cocaine
All a friend can say is, "Ain't it a shame?"

Truckin', up to Buffalo
I been thinkin', you got to mellow slow
It takes time, you pick a place to go
And just keep truckin' on

Sittin' and starin' out of the hotel window
Got a tip they're gonna kick the door in again
I'd like to get some sleep before I travel
But if you got a warrant, I guess you're gonna come in

Busted, down on Bourbon Street
Set up, like a bowlin' pin
Knocked down, it gets to wearin' thin
They just won't let you be, no

You're sick of hangin' around and you'd like to travel
Get tired of travelin' and you want to settle down
I guess they can't revoke your soul for tryin'
Get out of the door and light out and look all around

Sometimes the light's all shinin' on me
Other times I can barely see
Lately it occurs to me
What a long, strange trip it's been

Truckin', I'm a goin' home
Whoa whoa baby, back where I belong
Back home, sit down and patch my bones
And get back truckin' on

Been there get back truckin' on
Been there get back truckin' on
Been there get back truckin' on

Get back truckin' on
Get back truckin' on
Get back truckin' on
Been there get back truckin' on