The Next Best Western - Richard Shindell

It’s the middle of the night

Near the Indiana line

I’m pulling in a Christian station

The signal’s crystal clear

But I cannot really hear

What he says about the Revelation

I am wretched, I am tired

But the preacher is on fire

And I wish I could believe

Whoever watches over all these truckers

Show a little mercy for a weary sinner

And deliver me — Lord, deliver me

Deliver me to the next Best Western

Did he who made the lamb

Put the tremble in the hand

That reaches out to take my quarter

I look him in the eye

But there isn’t any time

Just time enough to pass the tender

The highway takes its toll

The green light flashes go

And it’s welcome to Ohio

At four a.m. on 80 East

It’s in the nature of the beast

To wonder if there’s something missing

I am wretched, I am tired

But the preacher is on fire

And I wish I could believe