Introduction
King of the Road is a classic country song that was written and recorded by Roger Miller in 1964. The song became a huge hit, reaching the top of the charts in both the United States and Canada. It is still a beloved favorite of country music fans today.
Verse 1
Trailer for sale or rent, rooms to let, fifty cents
No phone, no pool, no pets, I ain’t got no cigarettes
Ah, but two hours of pushin’ broom buys an eight-by-twelve four-bit room
I’m a man of means by no means, king of the road
Explanation of Verse 1
The first verse of the song describes the speaker’s current living situation. He is selling or renting a trailer and has rooms to rent out for fifty cents. He has no phone, no pool, and no pets, and he doesn’t have any cigarettes. However, he says that he can make money by working hard and pushing a broom, which allows him to live in a small room. Despite his humble living situation, he calls himself the king of the road, indicating that he is proud of his independence and self-sufficiency.
Chorus
Third boxcar, midnight train, destination, Bangor, Maine
Old worn-out clothes and shoes, I don’t pay no union dues
I smoke old stogies I have found, short, but not too big around
I’m a man of means by no means, king of the road
Explanation of Chorus
The chorus of the song describes the speaker’s travels on a train. He is in the third boxcar of a midnight train that is headed to Bangor, Maine. He wears old, worn-out clothes and shoes and doesn’t pay union dues. He smokes cigars that he has found, indicating that he is resourceful and able to make do with what he has. Once again, he calls himself the king of the road, indicating that he is proud of his independence and ability to travel wherever he wants.
Verse 2
I know every engineer on every train
All of their children, and all of their names
And every handout in every town
And every lock that ain’t locked when no one’s around
I sing, trailers for sale or rent, rooms to let, fifty cents
No phone, no pool, no pets, I ain’t got no cigarettes
Ah, but two hours of pushin’ broom buys an eight-by-twelve four-bit room
I’m a man of means by no means, king of the road
Explanation of Verse 2
The second verse of the song continues with the speaker’s travels on the train. He knows every engineer on every train and knows the names of all their children. He is familiar with every handout in every town and knows which locks are not locked when no one is around. He then sings the same lines from the first verse about the trailers for sale or rent and the rooms to let for fifty cents. He concludes again by calling himself the king of the road.
Verse 3
Trailers for sale or rent, rooms to let, fifty cents
No phone, no pool, no pets, I ain’t got no cigarettes
Ah, but two hours of pushin’ broom buys an eight-by-twelve four-bit room
I’m a man of means by no means, king of the road
Explanation of Verse 3
The third verse repeats the same lines from the first verse about the trailers for sale or rent and the rooms to let for fifty cents. The speaker concludes again by calling himself the king of the road. This verse serves as a reminder of the speaker’s humble living situation and his pride in his independence.
Conclusion
King of the Road is a classic country song that has stood the test of time. Its catchy melody and relatable lyrics have made it a favorite among country music fans for decades. The song celebrates independence and self-sufficiency, and it reminds us that we can find joy in the simple things in life. Whether we are living in a small room or traveling on a train, we can all be kings of the road in our own way.
