Well, I was pullin' up a grade that's known as the Devil's Crest

Haulin' thirty-six ton on a run called the Nitro Express

There was nothin' but curves a-runnin' from the top on down

And at the bottom of the grade sat a quiet little country town

Well, I was drivin' off the top when she jarred and the driveshaft broke

Started pumpin' up the brakes, saw 'em going in a big cloud of smoke

To keep 'er upright ... I knew I had to do my best

Against a runaway bomb they call the Nitro Express

(Chorus)

There was thirty-six ton of-a detonated steel

Over eighteen tires that smoked and squealed

I had to ride her down, I couldn't jump free

Or there'd be a big hole where that little town used to be

Well, that ol' trailer leaned each time that I took another curve

My hands started sweatin' and I knew I was losin' my nerve

And I was cussin' each rock and every inch of the Devil's Crest

While fightin' with the wheel of a rig called the Nitro Express

I side-swipped a mountain so I'd slow her down by rubbin' her side

And when the sparks started flyin', man, it looked like the Fourth of July

I finally got her stopped, but mister, I'm a-gonna confess

That's the last run I'm makin' in a rig called the Nitro Express

(Chorus)

There was thirty-six ton of-a detonated steel

Over eighteen tires that smoked and squealed

I had to ride her down, I couldn't jump free

Or there'd be a big hole where that little town used to be

There was thirty-six ton of-a detonated steel

Over eighteen tires that smoked and squealed

I had to ride her down, I couldn't jump free

Or there'd be a big hole where that little town used to be