According to Wikipedia, Keep on truckin’ is a phrase from the 1930s song “Trucking My Blues Away” by Blind Boy Fuller. It may also refer to:

  • Keep on Truckin’ (comics), a comic and visual motif of underground comix by Robert Crumb
  • “Keep on Truckin'” (song), a 1973 song by Eddie Kendricks
  • “Ja-Da”, a 1918 song written by Bob Carleton, also recorded under the title “Keep on Truckin'”
  • Keep on Truckin’, an album by Dave Dudley, or the title song
  • Keep on Truckin’, an album by Larry Scott
  • “Keep on Truckin'”, a song by Pnau from Sambanova
  • “Keep on Truckin'”, a song by The Road Hammers from The Road Hammers
  • Keep on Truckin’ (TV series), a 1975 American comedy series
  • “Keep on Truckin”, a song recorded by Hot Tuna on Burgers 1972
  • “Truckin'”, a song by the Grateful Dead

I heard a Grateful Dead song on the radio this morning, as I was doing some stretching before my run. It set the tone for the day and thoughts of where I’ve been and where I’m going next? It’s one step after another – one mile at a time, as I Keep on Truckin’. Day-after-day, I put on my running shoes to keep my USRSA streak intact that now stands at 3,628. It’s taken nearly ten years to accomplish this personal mark and in 25 days will unceremoniously move from “Proficient (5+ years)” to “Experienced (10+ years)”. It will take another five years to move to “Well Versed” on the list, assuming that I avoid injury or illness and live to be 72. An 81-year old female is currently the oldest streak competitor following  14,110 consecutive days of daily Truckin’.

Truckin’ also applies to travel and the miles accumulated by plane and car as the years go by. To me, another retirement badge of honor. I’m approaching 140,000 miles in my first two years, and well on the way to the million mile goal that I have in mind. I initially figured 50,000 miles annually over 20 years. As I continue to keep a log, year one was 59,150 and year two is projected to be 78,650. Year three will involve at least three trips back to Chicago plus mileage to Phoenix, Bangkok, Phuket, Los Angeles, New York, and Orlando. We’d also like to go to Joe’s Stone Crab in Miami and venture down to Key West, plus my wife’s youngest daughter is moving to San Francisco. I can foresee several long drives with the dogs to see her and stops along the coast. What a long strange trip it’s been….and continues to be. Here’s to many years more of Truckin’ and singing these lyrics:

Truckin’ got my chips cashed in. Keep truckin’, like the do-dah man

Together, more or less in line, just keep truckin’ on.
Arrows of neon and flashing marquees out on Main Street.
Chicago, New York, Detroit and it’s all on the same street
Your typical city involved in a typical daydream
Hang it up and see what tomorrow brings.
Dallas, got a soft machine; Houston, too close to New Orleans,
New York’s got the ways and means; but just won’t let you be, oh no.
Most of the cats that you meet on the streets speak of true love,
Most of the time they’re sittin’ and cryin’ at home.
One of these days they know they better get goin’
Out of the door and down on the streets all alone.
Truckin’, like the do-dah man. Once told me “You’ve got to play your hand”
Sometimes your cards ain’t worth a dime, if you don’t lay’em down,
Sometimes the light’s all shinin’ on me,
Other times I can barely see.
Lately it occurs to me what a long, strange trip it’s been.
What in the world ever became of sweet Jane?
She lost her sparkle, you know she isn’t the same
Livin’ on reds, vitamin C, and cocaine,
All a friend can say is “Ain’t it a shame?”
Truckin’, up to Buffalo. Been thinkin’, you got to mellow slow
Takes time, you pick a place to go, and just keep truckin’ on.
Sittin’ and starin’ out of the hotel window.
Got a tip they’re gonna kick the door in again
I’d like to get some sleep before I travel,
But if you got a warrant, I guess you’re gonna come in.
Busted, down on Bourbon Street, set up, like a bowlin’ pin.
Knocked down, it get’s to wearin’ thin. They just won’t let you be, oh no.
You’re sick of hangin’ around and you’d like to travel,
Get tired of travelin’ and you want to settle down.
I guess they can’t revoke your soul for tryin’,
Get out of the door and light out and look all around.
Sometimes the light’s all shinin’ on me,
Other times I can barely see.
Lately it occurs to me what a long, strange trip it’s been.
Truckin’, I’m a goin’ home. Whoa whoa baby, back where I belong,
Back home, sit down and patch my bones, and get back truckin’ on.
Songwriters: Jerome J. Garcia / Philip Lesh / Robert C. Hunter / Robert Hall Weir
Truckin’ lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group