The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Who did you say it was brother?
Who was it fell by the way?
When whiskey and blood run together
Did you hear anyone pray?
I didn't hear nobody pray, dear brother
I didn't hear nobody pray
I heard the crash on the highway
But, I didn't hear nobody pray.
When I heard the crash on the highway
I knew what it was from the start
I went to the scene of destruction
And a picture was stamped on my heart.
There was whiskey and blood all together
Mixed with glass where they lay
Death played her hand in destruction
But I didn't hear nobody pray.
I wish I could change this sad story
That I am now telling you
But there is no way I can change it
For somebody's life is now through.
Their soul has been called by the Master
They died in a crash on the way
And I heard the groans of the dying
But, I didn't hear nobody pray.
I didn't hear nobody pray, dear brother
I didn't hear nobody pray
I heard the crash on the highway
But, I didn't hear nobody pray.
Who was it fell by the way?
When whiskey and blood run together
Did you hear anyone pray?
I didn't hear nobody pray, dear brother
I didn't hear nobody pray
I heard the crash on the highway
But, I didn't hear nobody pray.
When I heard the crash on the highway
I knew what it was from the start
I went to the scene of destruction
And a picture was stamped on my heart.
There was whiskey and blood all together
Mixed with glass where they lay
Death played her hand in destruction
But I didn't hear nobody pray.
I wish I could change this sad story
That I am now telling you
But there is no way I can change it
For somebody's life is now through.
Their soul has been called by the Master
They died in a crash on the way
And I heard the groans of the dying
But, I didn't hear nobody pray.
I didn't hear nobody pray, dear brother
I didn't hear nobody pray
I heard the crash on the highway
But, I didn't hear nobody pray.
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Wreck on the Highway Lyrics as written by Dorsey Dixon
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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About 6 years ago, I met a lady from Chicago, who had been reared in a community close to where I live. The name of the community she grew up in, is known as Elkton TN. She told me that she lived with her Grandfather just across the Elk River on Highway 31 South in Elkton, and this song was about a car accident that happened right in front of her Grandfather's house in the mid to late 1940's, on that very highway late at night. She told that it was a 2 car accident, caused by a drunk driver and was a very terrible accident which took the lives of everyone in both cars. As she told it, Roy Acuff's band was coming back towards Nashville from Birmingham Alabama and was held up due to this wreck. Auto wrecks were a very big deal back in those days, and anyone happening upon one was bound to walk up and get the story first hand. She remembered seeing him there, and said that he spoke to her Grandfather ( who was the first on the scene and tried to help the people involved). He had asked her Grandfather if anyone had prayed with any people who were not killed upon impact, and it was her Grandfather who'd told him that he'd been there right after it happened; and though some of the people who'd come upon the scene had indeed talked to the dying, but as far as he knew "he didn't hear nobody pray". Her Grandfather was named Matt Gardner of Elkton TN. I'd never heard this song before (not much of a Country Music fan), but I knew who Roy Acuff was. I just heard this song for the first time, and thought that I'd share her story about this event. The ladies name was Mrs. Dorothy Gardner Henry of Chicago Illinois, and she would have been in her early teens when this event took place. Back at that time Highway 31 served as the main route from Nashville TN, to Mobile Alabama. I believe her story about this accident and the song it inspired to be true.
@greytstuff44 my grandmother’s brother was the driver in this accident. He had just become engaged and had been celebrating with his fiancé, best friend and his girlfriend.