See the man on the black top highway
Movin' past a no man's land
All alone on the black top highway
Movin' just as fast as he can
Ridin' thumb, ridin' thumb
Left his home down in Macon, Georgia
Left the shade of an old oak tree
Got his dreams in his left front pocket
Got his eye squinted towards the sea
Ridin' thumb, ridin' thumb
He don't care where the road goes
Just as long as he gets his ride
And he don't need no food and water
He just lets his conscience be his guide
Ridin' thumb, ridin' thumb
Left his sister and his mama cryin'
Beggin' him not to leave that day
Said he'd write but they knew he was a-lyin'
Never got no raise, never got no pay
Ridin' thumb, ridin' thumb